Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, May 28: As the 2026–27 academic year approaches, government, aided and unaided schools across the district are in the midst of brisk preparations, with authorities confirming that textbooks and uniforms will be available for students at the very start of the new term. However, distribution of shoes, socks and notebooks is likely to be delayed.
Government schools are scheduled to reopen on May 29, while the official school inauguration ceremony will be held on June 1. Private and aided institutions have already published their academic calendars and circulated updates to parents and guardians.
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This year, the Education Department has placed special emphasis on ensuring that students receive textbooks before classes begin, aiming to avoid early-year shortages that have affected previous academic cycles.
90% of textbooks printed and dispatched
Officials said nearly 90% of textbook printing for government school students has already been completed and dispatched to district-level warehouses. From there, supplies will be distributed to schools through Block Education Offices (BEOs). Authorities have also drawn up plans to hand over uniforms to students during the school inauguration programme itself.
The state government had earlier announced that students would be provided free notebooks along with textbooks from the 2026–27 academic year. However, the official order for implementation is yet to be issued, casting doubt over whether notebooks will reach students immediately after reopening.
Meanwhile, delays are also expected in the distribution of shoes and socks. Earlier, procurement was handled at the school level, with funds directly transferred to school joint accounts. However, this year a centralised tendering system has been introduced, under which procurement and supply will be managed from a central office. Officials admit this shift may lead to additional time being required before shoes and socks reach schools for distribution to students.
Schools prepare for festive opening
Despite logistical bottlenecks in certain supplies, education authorities and school administrations have completed preparatory work for the new academic year. Schools are gearing up to celebrate the inauguration programme in a festive manner across institutions.
Parents of private and aided school students have already purchased uniforms as prescribed by their respective schools. In most institutions, textbook distribution is being carried out at the time of admission itself, with fees collected simultaneously.
Officials reiterated that while “textbooks and uniforms will reach students on time, certain supplementary items may see a staggered rollout due to procedural changes in procurement systems.”