West Bengal government sanctions Rs 154 crore for free school shoes to children

KOLKATA: In a bid to attract more students and contain school dropouts, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sanctioned Rs 154 crore to provide school shoes free to all students of classes I to IV in government primary schools.

"Our government has sanctioned Rs 154 crore for free distribution of shoes to students of classes I to IV," Banerjee said here yesterday.

"On my way to 'Mati Utsav' in Burdwan district on Tuesday, I had met a group of children in a primary school. I was touched to see many of them barefoot. I immediately advised my school education department to take steps so that all primary school children get shoes," the chief minister said.

State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said: "The initiative will attract more students and prevent school dropouts."

"We will always look into the safety aspect of students in villages. There are instances when students get injured because of travelling barefoot," he said.

Currently textbooks are being distributed free of cost to all students of recognised primary schools up to Class V and free school dress is being provided to girl students of primary schools.