Private schools in Karnataka have sought the intervention of the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) to protect the rights of students studying in state board affiliated schools.

In a letter to KSCPCR, The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) alleged that due to the education department’s laid-back approach towards betterment, state board students are unable to perform on par with their counterparts studying in schools affiliated to other boards.

Over the past three months, Karnataka has witnessed several controversies involving state board students – the board exams for classes V, VI and IX: out-of-syllabus questions in the Karnataka CET exams and an abysmally low pass percentage in class X boards (SSLC).

The association also met the chief minister previously and submitted a memorandum on education department officials and ministers remaining incommunicado, confusion arising out of changes in curriculum, non-supply of textbooks etc.

D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, KAMS said that as is necessary, the syllabus and teaching in Karnataka are not at par with that of the NCERT recommendations. 

They also sought that KSCPCR conduct an independent investigation into the matter and intervene in the interest of the rights of children.

Kumar also alleged that in the past four years, there has been a large migration of students from state board to CBSE and ICSE schools and that the same trend is to continue, private unaided state board schools will be shuttered in a phased manner.

“This year itself, private schools have lost at least 10-15% admissions due to the way the state board is functioning. Parents feel that other boards are providing better quality education and have less interference. Parents believe that their child is missing out on an opportunity.” Kumar explained. 

Also read: Parents’ association member masterminded attack on KAMS secretary: Police