Free laptop computers have been distributed so far among 19,166 students in Ariyalur district ever since 2011-12. Free textbooks have been distributed to 4,49,590 students, notebooks to 22 lakh students, schoolbags to 1.14 lakh students, and uniforms to 2.96 lakh students.
Free footwear have been given to 88,000 students, geometric boxes to 56,000 students, atlas to 51,000 students, free bus pass to 54,901 students, and free bicycles to 28,303 students.
Special incentive to stop drop outs has been given to 24,410 students, financial assistance to 17 students who lost their earning parents.
A total of 2.96 lakh students benefitted out of noon meal scheme in the district.
A. Saravanavelraj, District Collector, said that 14 different welfare schemes were implemented for the benefit of schoolchildren by Tamil Nadu Government. Many children who got the laptop computers said that it will be difficult for them to purchase a laptop given their economic status. “We are thankful to the government for giving us the laptops,” said K. Pushpalatha, a college student of Thirumanur.
