Tamil Nadu Government to distribute dictionaries, atlases to students

Chennai, Jan 25: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today announced in the Assembly that the Government would distribute dictionaries and atlases to 1.24 lakh students free of cost to help them improve their knowledge in English and Geography subjects.

Making a suo motu statement in the House, she said knowledge of English was key to get global opportunities.

To help students understand the meaning of English words and lay a strong foundation for the language, English-Tamil dictionaries would be distributed to students from Adi Dravidar, Tribal, Backward Class, Most Backward Class and Denotified Communities.

Ms Jayalalithaa said the Government would also provide atlases to students to enable them to learn about other countries.

She said the dictionaries and atlases would be given to students from sixth to 12th standard at an outlay of Rs 2.17 crore.

The Chief Minister announced the Government would open 108 new hostels for students belonging to the BC, MBC and DC at an outlay of Rs 4.76 crore. The need for new hostels had arisen as more number of educational institutions were being opened in rural and other areas and schools were being upgraded, she said.

She said the Government would open 20 college hostels and 88 school hostels for BC, MBC and DC students.

Stating that the Governor’s address to the House on January 13 had mentioned that 108 new Adi Dravidar Welfare Hostels would be opened at an outlay of Rs 4 crore, she said with this, a total of 216 hostels would immediately start functioning from rented premises.