Form policy mandating elected representatives to send kids to govt schools: MLC S L Bhojegowda

Bengaluru: JD(S) MLC S L Bhojegowda, while participating in a debate on the 2025-26 State Budget on Wednesday, called on the Karnataka government to make it a policy to make it mandatory for all elected representatives to enrol their children in government schools, which would automatically improve the quality of education in those institutions.

Opining that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ought to have given more importance to education, Bhojegowda added, “Some government schools in the state have good enrolment, and offer quality education. Giving importance to education and sports should be the government’s priority.”

Congress minister B Suresha recalled fond memories of his schooldays as a child. Pointing to Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara’s father’s contributions to the education sector, Suresha added, “Parameshwara’s father was a pioneer in the education sector. It was he who constructed a primary school in our village.” Suresha pointed out that many legislators and ministers had studied at government schools, and Kannada-medium institutions.

Cutting across party lines, lawmakers highlighted the role of various religions institutions such as the Siddaganga Mutt, Adichunchanagiri Mutt, JSS Mutt in the development of education sector in the state. They also emphasised the need to upgrade government schools using funds disbursed by private companies under their ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ initiative, besides stressing the need to fill vacant teaching posts.

Council Deputy Chairman M K Pranesh cited the example of a government school in Chikkamagaluru developed by a coffee planter, who spent crores of rupees towards upgrading it. “My own children are enrolled in that school,” Pranesh added.