Karnataka Education Minister Claims 1,600 Unauthorised Schools, PU Colleges Operating In State – News18

Karnataka’s Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa disclosed that more than 1,600 schools and PU (pre-university) colleges are currently operating without authorisation in the state. The minister was addressing a press meeting. The government is taking a cautious approach to addressing this issue, considering the well-being of students who have enrolled in these institutions, the minister stated.

Minister Bangarappa highlighted a significant discrepancy where the entities granted permission to run these institutes differ from those actually managing them, and their listed addresses do not match. To rectify this situation, he mentioned that stricter regulations for obtaining permission will be implemented starting from the next academic year, as per The New Indian Express report.

While acknowledging the need for corrective measures, Minister Bangarappa emphasised the importance of avoiding drastic actions that could disrupt the education of students enrolled in these institutions. Instead, these unauthorised institutions have been given a grace period to rectify their discrepancies, he informed.

Earlier this year, in April, Deccan Herald reported that the Department of School Education had identified more than 1,600 private schools located throughout the state as unauthorised due to various violations of the Karnataka Education Act of 1983.

The majority of these schools had reportedly initiated new sections without obtaining proper approval from the department. Additionally, many were found to be following the curriculum from other educational boards despite being officially affiliated with the state board, thereby violating the medium of instruction regulations.

In addition to addressing unauthorised schools, the education minister also discussed efforts to reduce the weight of school bags by one-third as compared to current standards. Furthermore, he applauded the government’s decision to introduce Board exams for Classes 9 and 11, stating that this measure will better prepare students for the public exams in Classes 10 and 12.

Minister Bangarappa also pointed out a critical issue in the state’s education system: the vacancy of more than 53,000 government school teacher positions. He assured that significant improvements would be made in this regard within the next year. Moreover, plans are underway to establish approximately 2,000 bilingual Karnataka Public Schools (KPS), ensuring that there is at least one KPS for every 2-3 gram panchayats, reports The New Indian Express.

In response to a question, the minister reportedly expressed disapproval of some PU colleges conducting classes for up to 12 hours a day and called for an end to such practices in the interest of students’ well-being and overall academic success.