Maharashtra Education Department’s Innovative Initiative to Provide Integrated Textbooks Entails Substantial Expenditure and Future Reimbursement Plans
Pune: Balbharati, the organization entrusted with the production of integrated textbooks featuring blank pages across four parts, has incurred a significant expenditure of Rs. 71 crores 40 lakh 26 thousand for this pioneering endeavor. This initiative, spearheaded by the education department, aims to distribute integrated textbooks to students from classes II to VIII as a pilot project in the academic year.
The decision to produce integrated textbooks was released by the Ministry of School Education, outlining a progressive approach towards curriculum delivery in Maharashtra. Balbharti took charge of the production process, ensuring the availability of these innovative textbooks to students statewide.
To support Balbharati’s financial sustainability and offset the expenses incurred, the Maharashtra Government has devised a reimbursement plan utilizing unspent funds from various allocations. A sum of Rs. 15 crore 45 lakh 7 thousand 230 from the fund allocated for uniforms, shoes, and socks by the Maharashtra Primary Education Council has been earmarked for this purpose.
Additionally, the Ministry of School Education has sanctioned the distribution of Rs. 55 crore 95 lakh 19 thousand to Balbharati from the savings accrued by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year. This proactive measure aims to ensure the timely reimbursement of Balbharati’s expenditure and uphold the continuity of educational resources provision for students across Maharashtra.
