Jharkhand to distribute bags to 37.68L students in April

The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) will distribute school bags to nearly 3.8 million students from Classes I to VIII in April. This is for the 2025-26 academic year. The total number of students receiving bags includes about 396,695 in Class I and 483,754 in Class VIII. In previous years, the distribution took place in June and July. However, officials have expedited the process this time. They have completed all necessary procedures to ensure that bags are given out at the beginning of the school year. In addition to school bags, free textbooks will also be distributed to students in Classes I to XII. Suppliers have been chosen to print the textbooks, and they will be delivered to district headquarters. From there, school principals will collect and distribute them. State project director Shashi Ranjan emphasized the importance of providing students with essential learning materials. The distribution will be closely monitored to ensure efficiency. A local teacher expressed hope that timely distribution of bags and books will help students start their studies on time. Parents also voiced their desire for prompt deliveries, highlighting the challenges posed by late arrivals in previous years. The state cabinet changed its policy last year to ensure that school bags are distributed every year instead of every other year.