<p>Belagavi: The state government’s order issued last year mandating 75% reservation for local candidates and 25% for students from other taluks in Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) schools is drawing criticism from parents and students, especially in taluks with fewer residential schools.</p><p>Belagavi district has 15 taluks and is home to 54 KREIS residential schools, run under the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare Departments. Each school admits 60 students in Class 6, except for hostels at Khadaklat in Nippani taluk and Tapasi in Mudalagi taluk, which have 80 seats each.</p><p>While Gokak leads with seven residential schools, Hukkeri and Chikkodi follow with six each, Athani and Raibag have five each, and Bailhongal, Belagavi, Mudalagi, and Ramdurg have four schools each. Candidates from these taluks are largely benefitting from the 75% local quota.</p><p>However, in taluks like Khanapur (3 schools), Nippani and Savadatti (2 each), and Channamma Kittur and Yargatti (1 each), many deserving students are left out. Channamma Kittur and Yargatti have only girls’ residential schools, leaving boys without any local options. As a result, students who performed well in the entrance exam are being denied admission due to the new quota structure.</p><p><strong>Intense competition</strong></p><p>Admissions for the 2025–26 academic year for Class 6 are underway, and the second list of selected students has been released. A total of 27,291 students have applied for the 2,760 seats across 54 schools, intensifying competition and increasing frustration among those from underrepresented taluks.</p><p>Previously, 100% of seats were open to students from any taluk within the district, allowing greater flexibility. </p><p>The new system, however, limits 25% of seats to outsiders, significantly impacting students from taluks with fewer schools.</p><p><strong>Injustice</strong></p><p>A parent from Savadatti expressed concern, stating, “Compared to other taluks, we are facing injustice. There are only two schools in our taluk, one of which is for girls. The earlier policy was more balanced and inclusive.”</p><p>Pandurang Uppar, a resident of Mellikeri village in Yargatti taluk, shared his disappointment: “There is no boys’ residential school in our taluk. My son scored 80% in the entrance exam, but couldn’t secure a seat since we had to apply in another taluk. If the previous system was in place, he would have got a seat.”</p><p>In response to the rising concerns, Social Welfare Department Joint Director Ramangouda Kannoli said, “We will submit a proposal to the government regarding the demand to establish more residential schools across different taluks in the district.”</p><p>The current quota policy, though aimed at promoting local access, has unintentionally put meritorious students from less-served regions at a disadvantage, prompting calls for a review and a more equitable distribution of educational resources.</p>
<p>Belagavi: The state government’s order issued last year mandating 75% reservation for local candidates and 25% for students from other taluks in Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) schools is drawing criticism from parents and students, especially in taluks with fewer residential schools.</p><p>Belagavi district has 15 taluks and is home to 54 KREIS residential schools, run under the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare Departments. Each school admits 60 students in Class 6, except for hostels at Khadaklat in Nippani taluk and Tapasi in Mudalagi taluk, which have 80 seats each.</p><p>While Gokak leads with seven residential schools, Hukkeri and Chikkodi follow with six each, Athani and Raibag have five each, and Bailhongal, Belagavi, Mudalagi, and Ramdurg have four schools each. Candidates from these taluks are largely benefitting from the 75% local quota.</p><p>However, in taluks like Khanapur (3 schools), Nippani and Savadatti (2 each), and Channamma Kittur and Yargatti (1 each), many deserving students are left out. Channamma Kittur and Yargatti have only girls’ residential schools, leaving boys without any local options. As a result, students who performed well in the entrance exam are being denied admission due to the new quota structure.</p><p><strong>Intense competition</strong></p><p>Admissions for the 2025–26 academic year for Class 6 are underway, and the second list of selected students has been released. A total of 27,291 students have applied for the 2,760 seats across 54 schools, intensifying competition and increasing frustration among those from underrepresented taluks.</p><p>Previously, 100% of seats were open to students from any taluk within the district, allowing greater flexibility. </p><p>The new system, however, limits 25% of seats to outsiders, significantly impacting students from taluks with fewer schools.</p><p><strong>Injustice</strong></p><p>A parent from Savadatti expressed concern, stating, “Compared to other taluks, we are facing injustice. There are only two schools in our taluk, one of which is for girls. The earlier policy was more balanced and inclusive.”</p><p>Pandurang Uppar, a resident of Mellikeri village in Yargatti taluk, shared his disappointment: “There is no boys’ residential school in our taluk. My son scored 80% in the entrance exam, but couldn’t secure a seat since we had to apply in another taluk. If the previous system was in place, he would have got a seat.”</p><p>In response to the rising concerns, Social Welfare Department Joint Director Ramangouda Kannoli said, “We will submit a proposal to the government regarding the demand to establish more residential schools across different taluks in the district.”</p><p>The current quota policy, though aimed at promoting local access, has unintentionally put meritorious students from less-served regions at a disadvantage, prompting calls for a review and a more equitable distribution of educational resources.</p>
