With the aim of improving student enrollment rates and quality of education in government schools, the School Education Department has distributed bicycles to 4 lakh 90 thousand students under the Free Bicycle Distribution Scheme during the current academic session. This year, the department has allocated a budget of Rs 215 crore for the scheme.
Through this initiative, free bicycles are being provided to students who have passed Class 5 and Class 8. The scheme benefits only those students whose hamlets or localities are situated at least two kilometers away from their schools. Additionally, girl students residing in hostels for their studies are also included in the scheme. The bicycles have been provided to facilitate students’ commute to and from school.
Last year, the department distributed free bicycles to 4 lakh 80 thousand students. The Directorate of Public Instruction completed the bicycle procurement process through the GEM portal with the assistance of the Small Scale Industries Corporation. The Directorate also issued detailed guidelines for bicycle distribution. Students of Class 6 have been provided with 18-inch bicycles, while those in Class 9 have received 20-inch bicycles.
