House panel to simplify school recognition process in Karnataka

The government on Monday decided to form a House panel to simplify the process for the recognition and renewal of the recognition of private aided and unaided schools, also assuring the Legislative Council that no inconvenience would be created for schools till a decision is taken.

The MLCs, cutting across party lines, explained the inconveniences faced in getting recognition and renewal of recognition, especially in getting certificates regarding the safety of buildings and land ownership.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa told the Council that a House committee would be formed during the ongoing session to look into the matter, and it would be ensured that schools do not face any problem till a decision is taken.

“The number criteria to be fulfilled for recognition or renewal has been reduced from 62 to 48, and efforts are being made to make the system online. We have to be careful about children’s safety, while other departments are also involved in this matter. We will not tolerate corruption by the officials,” he said, in reply to the allegation by the MLC.

Puttanna of the Congress charged that students are also in trouble due to the complicated process of getting the recognition of their school renewed as per the 2018 Rules, as they have to appear as external students for examinations in case of no recognition for their schools. He accused officials of being corrupt. 

Shashil Namoshi of the BJP asked why the building safety rule is not applied to government schools, and why it is applied to private schools retrospectively.

S V Sankanur, S L Bhojegowda, Ramoji Gowda, Ramesh Babu, D T Somashekhar, Hemalatha Naik, and other
MLCs also expressed similar views, saying that many schools are on the verge of closing down.

Cut-off box - No govt or Kannada medium school will be shut: Madhu
School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa assured the Legislative Council on Monday that no government school including the Kannada medium ones will be closed under any circumstances.
He was replying to a question by senior members Umashree and Chidananda Gowda who expressed concerns over the reports of closure of government schools for the proposed Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) the minister said “Kannada is in our blood and no schools will be closed. We will provide all facilities including mid-day-meal even if only one child is enrolled in the government school.”
The minister however expressed unhappiness over the confusion created by social media platforms and said “I have never said we are closing down schools. Social media is spoiling society by spreading false information. I would like to assure the House that the government would not close a single school instead we are ready to open if we have a single child to get enrolled. What is the problem when we even provide transportation for children to commute to KPS? Why can’t our children study at the same campus from LKG to PUC?”
Madhu even brought it to the notice of the House that a few members of the Legislative Assembly even requested for the merger of schools with fewer students. “A few members of the Legislative Assembly both ruling and opposition requested for the merger of schools” he added.