Prime Highlights:
- CUK has signed an MoU with Kalike to boost early childhood education and create child-friendly learning environments through village libraries.
- The partnership includes a certificate course for librarians, joint research, faculty exchange, and student learning opportunities.
Key Facts:
- The MoU was signed on February 5, followed by a one-day training programme for gram panchayat librarians from Koppal and Yadgir districts.
- CUK will provide academic support for the initiative, and a training manual for librarians was released at the event.
Background
The Central University of Karnataka (CUK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kalike, an education initiative of the Tata Trusts, to strengthen early childhood education and create child-friendly learning environments in rural areas through village libraries.
The MoU was signed on February 5 and was followed by a one-day training programme for gram panchayat librarians from Koppal and Yadgir districts. The programme was organised by the Department of Education and Training at the CUK campus and focused on improving library practices to support young learners.
CUK Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana said early childhood education plays a key role in shaping a child’s future learning. He noted that foundational learning needs special attention as it directly affects long-term academic outcomes. Referring to the National Education Policy, he said gram panchayat libraries, anganwadi centres and schools are critical spaces for early learning. He added that CUK would provide full academic support under the MoU, with faculty and students actively involved in rural education initiatives.
Kalike Executive Director Shivakumar D. said the Tata Trusts have worked for India’s development for over a century, with Kalike focusing on foundational learning. He pointed out that rural children often lack access to reading material beyond textbooks. According to him, libraries can act as strong learning spaces if they are made more engaging and child-friendly. Kalike has designed a short-term certificate course to train gram panchayat librarians, with pilot programmes already underway.
CUK Registrar R. R. Biradar said weak SSLC and PUC results in the Kalyana Karnataka region highlight gaps in learning systems. He stressed the need for capacity building at the grassroots level.
Programme Co-ordinator Mayur Pujar said the MoU covers four areas, including a certificate course, joint research, faculty exchange and student learning opportunities. A training manual for librarians was also released at the event.
