All Government schools in Karnataka to turn into co-education institutions

In view of the rising absenteeism and below par performance in boys-only and girls-only schools across the State, the Karnataka Government has decided to convert the existing uni-gender Government schools into co-education institutions.

Karnataka’s Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti told reporters that that the Government was not only working on a proposal to merge the uni-gender Government schools into a co-education institutions, but had also decided against starting any more boys-only or girls-only schools in the State.

“It has been observed that the performance in some uni-gender schools is not upto the mark and one of the reasons is absence of competitive spirit among students of boys-only and girls-only schools”, Horatti said.

The dwindling attendance in uni-gender Government schools has also become a source of concern for the authorities.

Horatti expressed confidence that a co-education atmosphere in schools would encourage competitive spirit among the students.

The phasing out the boys-only and girls-only Government schools is not only expected to revolutionize the education system, but also find a solution to the non-viability of running uni-gender Government schools that had been hit by a poor turnout of students.

However, the Government decision to convert uni-gender schools into co-education institutions applies only to Government schools. “Initially, we will implement it in Government schools. Private institutions will have the option to follow suit”, Horatti said.

But, private managements of uni-gender schools in the State do not appear to be convinced with the Government’s argument.

The effectiveness of uni-gender schools vis a vis co-educational institutions is debatable, opined Principal of Bishop Cotton Girls’ School, Bangalore, Franklyn. In view of the exposure the present day students have, there is every likelihood that they would be distracted in a co-education set up. “Both systems have their own advantages”, she added.

Nevertheless, the Government of Karnataka appeared all set to go ahead with its proposal to wind up all Government run boys-only and girls-only schools. “The modalities to implement the proposal are on. Segregation of students at primary level is outdated”, said Commissioner for Karnataka’s Public Instruction Department G Kumar Naik.