Bengaluru: In a bid to create a more conducive learning environment for school children in Karnataka, the Education Department has issued a circular directing all schools in the state to observe the third Saturday of every month as 'bag-free day', to be known as 'Sambhrama Shanivara'.

The initiative aims to alleviate the burden of heavy textbooks carried by students during their studies. The new system of a 'bag-free day' will be implemented in schools starting from the academic year 2023-24.

To support this initiative, the Education Department has developed an instruction manual for teachers and ten self-explanatory modules covering various subjects for students. These resources aim to actively engage students in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, fostering the development of their civic consciousness. Teachers will receive further guidance on implementing these activities during progress review meetings conducted at different levels within educational institutions. District and block-level officers, as well as Cluster Resource Persons (CRP), have also been instructed to visit schools on bag-free days to provide additional support and guidance to teachers.

The Education Department has made student activity books and teachers' guidance manuals available on the website of the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT). Teachers from primary and high schools will receive instructions on effectively utilizing these learning materials.

The department emphasizes the active participation of schools in this project to ensure its success in creating an enjoyable educational experience for children. It further highlights that schools must submit comprehensive monthly reports on the activities conducted, including the observation of 'bag-free day', to the Educational and Vocational Guidance branch of the DSERT at evg.kardsert@gmail.com.

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Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".

His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.

Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.

Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."

"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.