Central University of Karnataka signs MoU with Kalike-Tata Trust to strengthen early childhood education through village libraries

The Central University of Karnataka (CUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kalike, an initiative of the Tata Trusts, to strengthen early childhood education and build child-friendly learning ecosystems in rural areas.

The MoU signing on February 5 was followed by a one-day training programme for gram panchayat librarians from Koppal and Yadgir districts, organised by the Department of Education and Training, CUK, in the university campus.

Speaking on the occasion, CUK Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana underlined the importance of early childhood education in shaping a child’s overall development. He said foundational learning required special attention as it was complex and decisive in determining future learning outcomes.

“The National Education Policy has rightly given special emphasis to early childhood education. Gram Panchayat libraries, anganwadi centres and schools play a vital role in this phase. CUK will extend full academic and institutional support to all initiatives under this MoU,” he said, adding that faculty members and students would actively collaborate to transform rural education. He stressed the need for innovative and engaging curricula to create effective learning ecosystems in villages. “When education improves, villages develop, contributing to a Viksit Bharat,” he noted.

Kalike Executive Director Shivakumar D. said Tata Trusts had been working towards India’s development for over 120 years, with Kalike focusing primarily on foundational learning. He pointed out that the lack of reading material beyond textbooks was a major challenge at the foundational level.

“Libraries can serve as powerful complementary learning spaces. We have developed innovative and engaging books to make learning interesting for children,” he said.

Highlighting the absence of formal training for gram panchayat librarians, he said Kalike had designed a short-term certificate course to enhance library management skills and make rural libraries more child-friendly. Two pilot training programmes are currently underway, he added, with plans to expand to other districts based on outcomes. He also noted that gram panchayat libraries in Karnataka were performing better than those in many other States.

CUK Registrar R. R. Biradar observed that poor SSLC and PUC results in the Kalyana Karnataka region reflect gaps in the quality of education and learning ecosystems at various levels. “Strengthening gram panchayat libraries, anganwadi centres and schools through training and capacity building is essential to address this challenge,” he said.

Programme Co-ordinator Mayur Pujar explained that the MoU envisaged four key areas of collaboration: launching a certificate course on child-friendly libraries, conducting joint research on best teaching and learning practices, facilitating faculty exchange between Kalike and CUK, and creating cross-learning opportunities for B.Ed and M.Ed students.

A training manual for gram panchayat librarians was released at the event, which was attended by faculty members, representatives from Tata Trusts, gram panchayat librarians from Koppal and Yadgir districts, and students.