To effectively utilise the libraries in schools and improve the reading habit and creative writing among students, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK) has decided to conduct story, poetry, essay writing competitions from the academic year 2026-27.

These competitions will be held at the school and cluster levels. In addition, a plan has been chalked out to extend skill education to 1,000 schools across the State.

The School Education Department has established libraries in all the government schools in the State and supplies books every year. However, several study reports have shown that students are becoming more addicted to TV, mobile and internet, and the habit of reading books and writing is declining, said officials of the department.

“Students in schools read textbooks only for the purpose of exams. Apart from that, the habit of reading other books and magazines is declining. The books in the school libraries are not being used properly. Along with knowledge development in children, creative thinking will grow from library books. This is the reason for holding contests,” explained K. Vidyakumari, State Project Director, SSK.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced in the current year’s State Budget that skill education will be provided to students from classes 6 to 8 in government schools. The government has not yet issued clear guidelines or an official order regarding the implementation of this scheme.

However, SSK is already providing skill education to students from classes 9 to 12 in 384 schools in the State, including Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

As a continuation of this, SSK has taken steps to extend skill education to 1,000 schools from the next academic year.

Currently, three skills are being taught in schools, including Information Technology (IT), automobile, and electronics. “In some States, agriculture and plumbing have also been included in skill education. However, students in our State are not very interested in these subjects. Therefore, steps have been taken to include telecom in skill education. A proposal was submitted to the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVT) last year and waiting for the approval. In addition, electrician, beauty & wellness, and apparel courses are also being contemplated as options. The ‘Kaushal Bodh’ textbooks issued by the Government of India for skill education for students from classes 6 to 8 will be distributed by SSK,” she added.