Karnataka govt faces criticism over woeful school infra, teacher shortage

Bengaluru: School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Monday informed the Karnataka Legislative Council that the state government will soon issue a fresh notification to develop over 100 Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) in the Kalyana Karnataka Division. This is in addition to 500 similar schools across the state that have already been approved by the department.

During a calling attention debate raised by BJP MLC C T Ravi about the poor condition of school buildings in the state, Madhu Bangarappa said the government has allocated Rs 100 crore exclusively to rebuild and repair damaged classrooms and buildings. He added that district administrations have been asked to send detailed reports on dilapidated school buildings.

Ravi pointed out that government schools across the state were facing a shortage of about 36,000 classrooms and questioned who should take responsibility for this. This sparked a long discussion in the Council.

Several opposition members, along with Ravi, highlighted the shortage of classrooms and the dilapidated condition of buildings that put students’ lives at risk. Some ruling party members also expressed concern.

BJP and JD(S) members criticised Madhu Bangarappa, saying there are not enough teachers in government schools. They claimed high school students cannot properly read or write Kannada. They also said schools in Kalyana Karnataka are not getting enough funds.

BJP’s A H Vishwanath accused the government of trying to close government schools to help the private schools thrive.

Madhu Bangarappa admitted to a shortage of classrooms and blamed previous governments and education ministers for the problem.

He said, “I do not want to blame anyone, but these problems are inherited from the past. When I took charge, government schools were in ICU. Now, we are working to improve them.”

Ravi suggested merging small schools. Madhu Bangarappa welcomed this idea and said it would be reviewed and acted upon.

A total of 61,690 teacher posts - 50,104 in primary schools and 11,586 in high schools - are lying vacant across Kalyana Karnataka and other regions.