Pune schools reopen, students get integrated textbook to reduce bag weight

Officials said that the integrated textbook introduced by the state government was distributed among the students on the first day. With an aim to reduce the weight of school bags, now one textbook contains all the subjects. Additionally, these textbooks have blank pages at the end of each chapter for students to take notes.

While the distribution of the new textbooks was streamlined, the uniforms prescribed by the state government under the ‘One State One Uniform’ scheme are yet to be distributed. Under this scheme, uniforms in all government schools in Maharashtra, including those of scouts and guides, will be standardised.

“The schools got the official letter for the new uniform only ten days ago so it will take some time to procure and distribute them,” said the spokesperson of the state headmasters’ association Mahendra Ganpule. “Right now, information about the size and number of required uniforms is being taken from us,” Ganpule said.

The design as well as funds for these new uniforms will be sent to the school management committees. Meanwhile, students will continue to use the uniforms prescribed by their respective school management committees.