Karnataka to set up 6,500 public and 5,000 nursery schools: Minister

The State Government will establish 6,500 Karnataka Public Schools and 5,000 nursery schools in the next few years, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Madhu Bangarappa said on August 17.

“All the Karnataka Public Schools will have classes from 1-12 in English and Kannada medium. One Karnataka Public School will come up in each gram panchayat. The nurseries will provide rural students with the advantage of pre-school training,” he announced at the inauguration of a new school building of the Government High School in Chabbi village near Dharwad.

“It seems to me that the decades-long demand of the people of Chabbi has come true. I always believe that the sound of the school bell ringing should be louder than that of the temple bell in a village. That will lead to all-round development,” he said.

He said the government of Karnataka is trying to address the issue of teacher shortage. “For the short term, temporary teachers are being appointed. Regular teachers will be appointed soon,” he said.

As many as 25,000 pre-university students are being trained for NEET and JEE exams free of cost, he said.

District In-charge Minister Santosh S. Lad said that before independence, India’s average literacy was 20% to 25%. “Today, we have achieved about 75% literacy. That is because of the continued focus of successive governments and public expenditure,” he said.

“We are facing several critical situations in the country today. There is a report that says over 93,000 schools have closed across the country, and around 87% of youth are struggling to find employment. We have to face these facts and find solutions,” he said. He urged children to follow the ideas of Buddha, Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said a plan to paint over 1,100 schools at a cost of ₹60 crore in Dharwad district is underway. “This high school has been constructed with a special grant for Chhabbi village. The Union Government is giving increased emphasis to education.

“About 400 schools have been built under CSR grants. Over 31,600 desks have been distributed. As many as 106 anganwadis, toilets and canteens have been built. More than 200 smart classes have been opened,” he said.

Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, said everyone should join hands for the development of the country.

Former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai said he had noticed a demand for a high school when he was camping in the village, along with former minister R. Ashok. He demanded that the government of Karnataka take up recruitment of teachers on priority.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok hoped that Chabbi village gets a government college too.

MLA M.R. Patil, officers and others were present at the event.