Following protests and complaints from students about funds given for schoolbooks in government schools, the Education department has asked for close to Rs 45 crore in additional funds from the Delhi government to provide books, shoes and school diaries to students in Delhi government schools.

A proposal for increasing the Education department’s budget was sent to the Chief Minister’s office by the Directorate of Education in May, during a review of the department.

Students and teachers have welcomed this move though not without scepticism. “The students here come from very poor families. The subsidy helps them in purchasing books though it is not always adequate,” a teacher said on condition of anonymity.

The Directorate has proposed to increase the amount given to students for purchasing textbooks etc, and introducing school diaries for students to improve interaction between their parents and teachers. At present, students in classes IX and X get Rs 300 for books, while students of classes XI and XII get 350. The DoE proposes to increase this amount to Rs 600 for students up to Class X and Rs 800 for senior secondary students.

The proposal also takes into account the new school buildings proposed as part of the scheme to upgrade infrastructure and increase the number of classrooms.