Stakeholders oppose Karnataka govt.’s move to make private schools adopt govt. schools

Educationalists, student organizations, academics, teachers, and other stakeholders have expressed disapproval of the Karnataka government's proposal to link private schools with government schools through adoption. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently convened a meeting with private schools and corporations, suggesting the adoption of government schools by private entities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

The Save Public Education Committee and All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) denounced the plan as an effort by the state government to close down public schools. They emphasized that allowing private schools to adopt government schools under their names undermines the government's duty to tackle issues in the public education system.

The committee also criticized remarks allegedly made by private school representatives at the meeting, accusing them of blaming government school teachers for the poor quality of education while avoiding accountability for the government's own policies. Teachers have voiced their discontent over the matter, stating that they are overburdened with non-academic tasks, such as Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work, which has been assigned to them for a year without resolution.

A government school teacher noted that private school teachers are not required to perform such work. A.H. Ningegowda, president of the Karnataka State Pre-University Lecturers' Association, appealed to the government to address the shortage of teachers before criticizing them.