“It is widespread and common notion that students of government schools do not have good command over English. With a view to dispel this belief that the government has decided to conduct English speaking courses at each government school. Attempts will be made to raise the level of English knowledge of government schools in rural and urban parts,” the minister said while addressing a press meet here on Tuesday.

Response

The minister said that it is the intention of the government to respond to the wants of students and act accordingly and it is open to suggestions from any one in this regard. Every child should come to school compulsorily and teachers should focus more on the quality of teaching. “Chaitrada Chiguru” programme was introduced with the objective of providing a conducive learning environment for students. However, the programme has failed to yield the desired results, it is being contemplated to stop it, Kageri said.

Kageri revealed that it is being considered to  abolish the post of Cluster Assistant Education Officer (CAOE) in the Education Department. The post was created with a view to reform education system, particularly at the elementary level. However, it was felt at a convention of academicians held in Bangalore last week that the post has become redundant and is no more necessary. Hence it is being considered to abolish the post, he elaborated.

In the event of abolishing the post,  the headmasters of respective schools will shoulder the duties and responsibilities of Cluster Assistant Education Officer.

Recruitment of teachers

The minister disclosed that process for recruitment of 3,000 teachers has commenced and valuation is in progress. Preparations are also being made for appointing 5,000 primary school teachers.

Examinations have already been conducted through Karnataka Public Service Commission for recruitment of lecturers to pre-university colleges. The service of guest lecturers is being availed for the present to ensure that students are not put into hardship. The process for appointment of full time lecturers has also been initiated.

New programmes

Several programmes were introduced by the previous government for reforming the education system in the State. However, they have failed to achieve the desired objective owing to decisions taken subsequently. In spite of this, Pratibha Karanji and remedial teaching programmes have become successful.

“It is not the intention of the BJP government to scrap all the previous programmes and introduce new ones. It is only being planned to shelve such programmes which have failed to achieve the desired target and strengthen the rest by introducing new plans as well. The government intends to bring a comprehensive change in the education system,” ,minister Kageri clarified on the occasion.

Chief whip at the Legislative Council, Dr A H Shivayogiswamy, District BJP unit president Jayarama Reddy and others were present.

Memorandum

Meanwhile, the office-bearers of Kolar District Pre-University College Lecturers Association submitted a memorandum to the Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri urging providing basic infrastructure to the colleges in the district.

President of the Association Nataraj said that recruitments should be made in accordance with the student-teacher ratio failing which there would be decline in the quality of education, thus bringing down the pass percentage.

He also urged the minister to convert composite degree colleges into independent pre-university colleges, accord priority for direct recruits during promotion for the post of principals, filling up lecturer vacancies in the district at the earliest, appointment of physical education instructors, librarians and ‘D’ group employees to the colleges.