'Teachers should give suggestions to bring in reforms in education system'

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Rathnakar has asked the teachers to give suggestions to the department on bringing in comprehensive change in the education system. The government is ready to accept the suggestions and advices. 

He was speaking after inaugurating the centenary celebrations of the Government Model Higher Primary School at Nidaghatta on Wednesday. Though all expect a change in the education department, they do not speak about how to improve the education system.

Teachers too approach the department seeking solutions for their problems. But they never comment on what kind of changes they look forward in the education system. It is necessary for the teachers to think about providing quality education to students, he stressed.

“The Central and the State governments are releasing funds to the education department. The State government has earmarked Rs 18,000 crore for primary and secondary education in the budget, of which, Rs 11,000 crore is spent on providing salary to teachers. The remaining Rs 12,000 crore will be spent on Akshara Dasoha.

Remaining amount will be spent on Ksheera Bhagya and other schemes. Funds reserved for the education department is not misused, he clarified, to the allegations that funds are misused in the department.

Commenting on confusion prevailing over the contents of textbooks in primary and secondary education, the Minister said that he had convened a meeting with the higher officials on the very next day of taking charge, to discuss on solving the issues surrounding contents of textbooks. “I will ensure that no such problem will recur in textbooks in the next academic year. The tender process for distributing textbooks and bicycles has been completed. Steps will be taken to reach the textbooks and bicycles to the offices of respective block education officer between May 10 and 15,” he assured.

On the problem persisting in transfers in primary education department, he said honest efforts are being done from his side to solve the problem this year. The department has received 14,000 to 16,000 applications seeking transfer related to spouses. If all the applications are considered, 20,000 schools will have to be shut down in the State. Therefore, it is better for teachers not to roam around to Bangalore and other places for transfer, he advised.

Kimmane also admitted the delay in providing salary to retired teachers. Henceforth, the process of releasing the salary will be completed before six months of retirement. He warned of suspension, if the officers fail to violate the directions.

Freedom fighter H S Doraiswamy said that the citizens should raise their voice against injustice. “We should wake up from deep slumber to save democracy.” 

He said that all of us should strive to eradicate corruption from its roots. 

Akhila Bharatha Sharana Sahitya Parishat President Go Ru Channabasappa also spoke. MP Jayaprakash Hegde released a souvenir. MLA C TRavi presided over the programme. Ex servicemen, donors for school and retired teachers were felicitated on the occasion.