A model govt. school for every gram panchayat on cards

Bengaluru: The state government is seriously considering converting a government school in every gram panchayat into a model school and giving the entire responsibility to the local legislators.

Education minister B.C. Nagesh said “There is a plan to develop a model school in every gram panchayat. The local MLAs will be entrusted with the full responsibility of this model school.  I have held talks with some MLAs on this issue.”

A senior education department official also corroborated the news. He said that Karnataka public schools are located at every taluk and hobli. These schools which were started with a vision to bring education from pre-primary to 12th standard under one roof, have been largely successful. As a follow-up, discussions are underway to develop a model government school in every gram panchayat.

An announcement is likely to be made in the next budget, the official informed.

The idea of a model school per gram panchayat is not a new one. During his tenure as Education Minister, Kimmane Ratnakar had formulated a similar plan. Now the government has once again embarked on this effort.

How will the model school operate?

Under the scheme, an existing government school with good management and a high number of children will be selected in the respective gram panchayat. All facilities required to transform this school into a model school are provided through the government or the local legislators. An official explained that facilities will be upgraded along with quality education.

Currently, 48,000 government schools exist in the state, most of them in rural areas with every rural gram panchayat having 5 to 10 schools each.  One of these will be selected and converted into a model school.

Some fear that the move could end in the closure of many schools. The schools, which have fewer students enrolled, could be merged with the model school and faculty and students will be transferred to the model school.

(A report by Raju Kharvi Koderi)