De-recognized schools to run as private tutorials in Karnataka

With the Karnataka Government firm on withdrawing its recognition to the 1,420 primary schools across the state for switching the medium of instruction from Kannada to English in violation of the language policy, the de-recognized institutions are contemplating a proposal to function as “private tutorials”.

After their request for continuing classes till at least the end of current academic year went unheeded by Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti, the Karnataka Unaided School Managements’ Association (KUSMA) decided to advise its affiliated schools to run their institutions as private tutorials.

Association President G S Sharma told reporters that the institutions could impart non-formal education to its students. “Nobody can stop us from doing that. There is a provision for students to join school from class 8 onwards on the basis of their age and appearing for an entrance test. There is no need for even a transfer certificate”, he said.

But, Horatti said the Government had drawn up a comprehensive plan that will help all the 273,000 students of the 1,420 de-recognized schools to secure fresh admission in different schools located nearby.

All the government, aided and unaided schools within the radius of three kilometers from the de-recognized schools will be mapped. The Government will make it obligatory for schools neighouring the de-recognized schools to admit the displaced students. The jurisdictional block education officers will monitor the relocation process. Counselling sessions will also be held to aid the process, Horatti said seeking to reassure the students and their parents that their future was safe.

The relocated students be exempted from paying fees or wearing uniforms. “The Government will even consider exempting these students from taking examinations, as a one-time measure, if they find it difficult to adapt to their new schools”, Horatti said.

Horatti’s refusal to reconsider the Government decision on de-recognizing the 1,420 schools came after a protracted meeting with officials of the Education Department on Saturday. During the meeting, Horatti even said he would prefer to quit as Minister for Primary and Secondary Education instead of withdrawing the Government order on de-recognition.

Horatti’s resolve to close down the schools was emboldened after 15 Kannada litterateurs called on the Primary and Secondary Education Minister and asked him not to change the Government’s stance on the language policy.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has come down heavily on the Government for causing a huge inconvenience to thousands of students by closing down the schools in the middle of the academic year.

Former Primary and Secondary Education Minister B K Chandrashekar urged the Government to tread cautiously on the issue as the interests of thousands of students was at stake.