SC, ST students to get free access to libraries in Kerala

As part of promoting Literacy and developing reading habits among the members of Scheduled Caste and scheduled tribe communities, the government has decided to give free access and membership for all the students from the community, including those who are enrolled for higher studies, in all the libraries across the state.

The literacy rate of tribals in the state is 74.44%, much lower than the state Average of 93.91 % as per the census 2011, though significantly higher than the national average of 59%.

The novel decision is being implemented in cooperation with thestate library council, which would mean that the students will be given access to all the 8,182 libraries that are affiliated with theKerala state library council. As per the order issued by the government in this regard on Wednesday, the government will launch new libraries in places especially the tribal settlements.