Sun Nov 03 16:13:43 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka’s Education System Faces Severe Shortcomings: Report

**Bengaluru, November 3, 2024:** A new report released by the Right to Education Cell and the Council for Social Development, New Delhi, has revealed alarming gaps in Karnataka’s education sector. The report, titled “Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: Where Do We Stand”, highlights “neglected investment” in education, a severe teacher shortage, and the closure of government schools as major concerns.

Despite Karnataka’s socio-economic advantages, the report reveals a dismal compliance rate with the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Nationally, only 25.5% of RTE norms have been met, with Karnataka lagging behind at 23.6%. The report criticizes the state’s low allocation of just 11% of its budget to education, calling it “unfortunate” for a state that considers itself socio-economically advanced.

The report also points out the rising number of private school enrollments and the closure of small, low-enrollment government schools as a significant contributor to educational inequity. Students from marginalized communities are particularly affected, as they are often unable to attend schools located far from their homes.

The report condemns several recent measures taken by the state government as detrimental to the quality of education, including the introduction of board exams for classes 5 and 9, the establishment of Karnataka Public Schools, and the emphasis on English-medium instruction. These initiatives are seen as a disregard for the RTE Act’s provisions and an infringement on the right to quality education.

With the highest teacher vacancies in India (1,41,358), Karnataka faces a major challenge in ensuring quality education for all children. The report also highlights the shortage of teachers in core subjects, the rise of single-teacher schools, and the inadequate support provided by the State Council for Educational Research and Training and the District Institute of Education and Training.

The report concludes by calling for a more focused approach towards improving teacher professional development, utilizing open-source digital technologies, and prioritizing the implementation of the RTE Act to ensure a brighter future for education in Karnataka.

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