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

Central University of Karnataka partners with Kalike-Tata Trust to enhance early childhood education through village libraries and training programs.

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.