The government schools in the state of Karnataka have seen the highest increase in the registrations and enrollment of students for the academic year 2020 – 2021 comparing the records to last 14 years, as per the information given by the state Department of Primary and Secondary Education.
Primary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar, said that nearly 90,000 children have applied for government schools this year, while speaking at the Karnataka Rajyotsava event conducted on Sunday by the Department of Public Instruction.
Suresh Kumar stated, “Admissions at government schools have seen their biggest increase in the last 14 years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, families from economically weaker sections have turned towards government schools. This is a silver lining which has also increased our hopes.”
The officials revealed the overall count of students in the government school has reached 42.16 lakh as compared to 41.26 in the previous year.
Over the past few years, the government schools were constantly observing a decline in the number of students, as children were withdrawing their admissions and switching over. The number was declining to a great extent, as it dropped by 1.47 lakh in 2019 – 2020, and by 1.83 lakh in 2018 – 2019.
Alongside, Kumar stated the work the state government was doing for the growth and development of Kannada language at all levels.
Suresh Kumar said, “The pandemic cannot steal the state government’s commitment to Kannada. The government has taken stringent measures for the implementation of the Compulsory Kannada Learning Act 2017 at all schools including private schools affiliated to other boards.”
He further added, “The government has started bilingual schools where both Kannada and English medium will be offered. This is to find a solution for the global challenges which our children are facing.” The minister also told about the further planning of translating the NCERT textbooks of the PU courses, which would benefit the students from the present and the upcoming academic year.
