Karnataka’s minister for school education and literacy, Madhu Bangarappa said that the new education policy of the state is likely to be readied before the commencement of the next academic year.

He spoke at a media briefing on Tuesday in Bengaluru. Bangarappa also said that the introduction of changes in textbooks was just a surface level vision of an overhaul that was underway in the education department.

Acknowledging that it is ridden with several problems, the minister said a committee would be constituted to ideate the changes that are to be brought about in textbooks and other crucial issues pertaining school education.

The minister also addressed queries on other recent developments. Regarding the 1,316 schools that were enlisted and functioning in an unauthorized manner, he said they have been given an extension of time to address the issues. “If we are to act against these schools and shut the doors, which is an easy alternative, the question I will be left with is about the education of children. They will line up with their parents in my office,” he said.

While sources said that the issue of demand for a fee regulation committee was raised in a previous meeting with the education minister, he refuted the same. “In the two months, I have not heard many pleas in this regard,” he said.

Bangarappa said that changes in textbooks have been reverted as promised in the manifesto. “We did not have to constitute any committee as we just went back to the old textbooks.”

Zero teacher schools

Bangarappa said that the department would identify schools with zero teachers and consider transferring those teachers without posting to such places. “In my constituency alone, when I did a survey, I found there were 52 such schools,” he said.

He said, “I am aware that there was a lot of pressure for teacher transfers this time around as it was delayed due to elections. As a department with one of the highest human resources, we are working towards accommodating requests of teachers to transfer them to the same location as their spouse, family etc.”

Karnataka Public Schools

Confirming that the demand was high for Karnataka Public Schools among students, more schools are being identified to be upgraded as KPS and that the department is in need of funds for the upgrade. 

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