The British Council and the Dept. of RDPR signs MoU to Empower Children with English Language Learning across 10 Arivu Kendras in Karnataka

– 500 children’s books to be provided to 10 selected Grama Panchayat Arivu Kendras, enriching their physical library collections

– Access to the British Council’s Digital Library Freemium membership to be provided to 5,800 Karnataka’s Rural Grama Panchayat Arivu Kendras

Bengaluru, 20 January 2025: Taking a significant step towards advancing educational opportunities in rural Karnataka, the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) in Karnataka, today exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower young learners.

This partnership seeks to revolutionise English language learning for children aged 5 to 12 across 10 selected Grama Panchayat Arivu Kendras in Phase 1. Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with the British Council, aims to extend this initiative to other Grama Panchayats across the state, empowering young learners with vital skills for both academic success and personal growth.

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj presided over this MOU exchange. The MOU was formally exchanged between Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council and Dr Arundhati Chandrashekar, Commissioner Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate. Ms Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner & ACS Panchayat Raj was also present during this MoU exchange.

The MOU outlines several key areas of collaboration, including:

• Enriching Physical Libraries: 500 English language books for children will be provided to 10 selected Karnataka’s Rural Grama Panchayat Arivu Kendras, significantly enhancing their physical library collections
• Expanding Digital Access: 5800 Rural Grama Panchayat Arivu Kendras will receive access to the British Council’s Digital Library Freemium membership via digital library walls installed in the internet zones, ensuring equitable access to world-class UK’s digital learning tools and resources
• Roadmap for Rural Education Development: Establishing a roadmap for future partnerships between the dept. of RDPR, Karnataka and the UK to strengthen rural education, foster a culture of reading and promote digital literacy in underserved regions

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj said, “We are on a mission to empower our rural communities through education. With our partnership with the British Council, we are taking a decisive step towards ensuring that children in rural Karnataka have access to all high-quality learning resources that inspire curiosity, build skills and open doors to bigger opportunities. By empowering our Arivu Kendras with physical and digital learning tools, we are nurturing a generation of capable young minds who will shape the future of our state.”

Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council, said, “We have had a long-standing relationship with Karnataka, and this partnership with RDPR reflects our commitment to nurturing young learners from rural underserved communities in the state. By providing access to both physical and digital resources, we aim to boost their confidence and equip them with the right set of skills to shape a better future. Our collaboration with the Karnataka Government underscores our shared vision of transforming lives and empowering the next generation.”

The initiative is a pivotal step towards bridging educational gaps in rural Karnataka, laying the foundation for a better-equipped and more confident generation of learners.

List of 10 Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras Selected for the British Council Corner:

• Kundargi Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Bilagi Taluk, Bagalkot District
• Bailuru Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Kittur Taluk, Belagavi District
• Bengaluru Rural District, Kannamangala, Devanahalli Taluk
• Vatadahosahalli Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Gauribidanur Taluk, Chikkaballapura District
• Doni Gram Panchayat Arivu kendra, Mundargi Taluk, Gadag District
• Nalwar Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Chittapur Taluk, Kalaburagi District
• Ummadahalli Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Mandya Taluk, Mandya District
• Kalluru Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Sirwar Taluk, Raichur District
• Neelasandra Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Channapatna Taluk, Ramanagara District
• Toravi Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendra, Tikota Taluk, Vijayapura District