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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
DK Shivakumar signals free travel for Karnataka Public School boys, transport minister says it's just a proposal
Bengaluru: Will the Shakti scheme, which facilitates free bus travel for women, be extended to male passengers? An announcement made by deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has sparked speculation over the possibility of free bus travel for boys. On Friday, the DCM took to social media to announce that kids studying in Karnataka Public Schools (KPS), from LKG to pre-university level, would be provided free bus travel. He stated the move is aimed at empowering govt schools and offering financial support to students from poor families. However, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy maintained it is just a proposal, and free bus travel for boys will be implemented only if the govt agrees to reimburse the cost of providing the facility. "It is just a proposal made by the DCM. The road transport corporations haven't received any formal instructions in this regard. Any govt scheme requires approval from the state cabinet. Before that, the departments concerned, including the finance department, must agree after reviewing the financial implications," he explained. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The state has 308 Karnataka Public Schools, gaining popularity because English is the medium of instruction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 나를 빛나게 해줄 예쁜 마음, 예쁜 팔찌 유니세프 지금 기부하기 Undo In the past two years, the four RTCs — KSRTC, BMTC, KKRTC, and NWKRTC — have issued 497 crore tickets to women availing free bus travel under the Shakti scheme. The corporations spent over Rs 12,593 crore to provide the free service. For male students, RTCs have been issuing concessional bus passes with a nominal processing fee. More than 23 lakh student bus passes have been issued in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Shivakumar's announcement on KPS students has evoked mixed reactions, with many arguing the benefit should be extended to all boys, including those studying in private as well as other govt-run schools and colleges. Others suggest the govt should prioritise improving infrastructure in govt schools and filling vacant teacher posts first.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
State govt. announces ‘Free Transport Bhagya' for Karnataka Public Schools students
With an aim to increase the attendance and quality of education in government schools, the State government has decided to provide 'Free Transport Bhagya' to students of Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) across the State. Focus on quality Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced this on Friday through his 'X' account. 'The government is committed to the bright future of government school children. The State government has decided to start a free bus facility for students studying from LKG to PUC in KPSes across the State, giving major emphasis to strengthening government schools. This is an important thought by the government to empower the children of the poor academically and financially. The government has taken a bold step to empower government schools,' he stated. However, Mr. Shivakumar did not clarify whether separate buses will be arranged for KPS students under this scheme or free bus passes will be given. To provide quality education from class 1 to II PUC under one roof by effectively utilizing the available resources, the State government had started a total of 276 KPSes for the first time in 2017-18. Currently, a total of 308 KPSes are functioning across the State and teaching is being done from Pre-Primary (LKG) to II PUC. In addition, bilingual classes, including Kannada and English medium, have been started in all KPSes. Huge demand There is huge demand for these schools across the State, and there were instances of parents bringing recommendation letters from local MLAs and public representatives for enrollment in some schools in Bengaluru last year. The number of students in most KPSes has exceeded 2,000. Earlier, the maximum enrollment limit for each class in KPS was 30 students. Given the high demand from students and parents, the maximum limit for pre-primary classes in KPS has been increased to 40 from the academic year of 2025-26, and the maximum limit for primary and high school classes has been increased to 50 students. Cabinet has to decide, insists Reddy Even as the Deputy Chief Minister announced free bus rides for KPS students, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that his department had not received any official order or request from the government or the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) in this regard. 'This decision should be taken in the State Cabinet, then steps will be taken to implement the scheme,' he said, adding that the government will have to bear the cost. 'Free bus travel is already available to all girls and women under the Shakti scheme. Therefore, this will also be applicable to girls of KPS schools. However, we do not have any information about the number of boys in these schools. All the boy students travel in State transport buses using school or college bus passes. We don't know the number of KPS students who have bus passes. Appropriate action will be taken for implementation after receiving a request from the DSEL,' he said.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- The Hindu
Karnataka Public School in K.R. Pet found charging annual fee for students
Despite the promise of providing free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years in government schools, some Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) in the State have been found charging fees for students ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 per annum. Parents of KPS at K.R. Pet in Mandya district have alleged that the school is charging students in English medium section as per the decision of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC). Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of K.R. Pet, H.T. Manju, is the Chairman of the SDMC. Parents and a member of the SDMC of the school have complained to the Block Education Officer (BEO) of the K.R. Pet taluk, but no action has been taken even after a month, they alleged. The State government started KPS across the State from 2018-19 to teach from pre-primary to class 12 under one roof. These schools offer bilingual classes, including English medium, from the pre-primary section. The governmenthas issued an order and framed separate regulations for the SDMCs of KPS . Accordingly, it has been suggested to form an SDMC consisting of a total of 16 parents in schools with more than 1,023 children. This SDMC is chaired by the local MLA. Several sub-committees have been formed for the development of the school, and the SDMC can accept donations from the public and donors and carry out the development of the school. Responding to the issue, K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner of Public Instruction, said, 'It is completely against the rules to charge annual fees from government school children. I have instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya district to investigate this issue and submit a report. Based on the report, action will be taken against the culprits.' Violation of rules However, the SDMC of the KPS in K.R. Pet held a meeting and took a decision to collect fees from the children, and it was found that the fees were being collected illegally every year. While some students were given receipts in the name of the schools, some receipts were in the name of a private coaching centre. Some students were also asked to deposit the fees directly into the joint bank accounts of the school principal and the SDMC chairman. 'As per the Right to Education Act-2009, free and compulsory education should be provided to children between the ages of 6 and 14 in all government schools. However, in our KPS, a fee of ₹3,600 has been collected for LKG students, ₹2,600 from UKG students and ₹5,300 for English medium students from classes 1 to 7,' alleged a parent. Parents allege that many KPS in the Mandya district have also charged annual fees to children. 'The SDMC has no right to fix fees in the government schools. Most of the children studying in government schools are economically and socially backward, and they are being deprived of education. Even after complaining to the BEO about this, no action has been taken. the government should immediately conduct an investigation and take legal action against the SDMCs that are collecting fees from school children,' urged another parent. Huge demand Speaking to The Hindu, Puligeraiah, in-charge principal of the school in K.R. Pete, said, 'The previous principal retired from service on June 30, 2025, and I have been working as the in-charge principal since July 1. So, I do not know much about the issue. There are a total of 2,384 children in our school. We have a limitation of only 30 children to be admitted for the LKG English medium section. However, due to the huge demand, additional sections have been started. Additional teachers and staff have been recruited for this. In this context, the decision to charge fees from the children may have been taken.'
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt raises enrolment limits for KPS, PM Shri schools in state
Mangaluru: With soaring demand for Karnataka Public Schools, PM Shri School, and Kannada-English bilingual schools run by the state govt, the department of school education and literacy decided to raise the maximum enrolment limits from this academic year. A circular dated June 19, 2025, stated that a maximum of 40 children per class in pre-primary sections (LKG and UKG), 50 in primary schools (grades 1 to 7), and 50 in high schools (grades 8 to 10) will be allowed. Previously, the maximum enrolment limit for pre-primary and primary classes was restricted to 30 students. Dakshina Kannada alone has nine KPS, 123 bilingual, and 17 PM-Shri schools. This decision was made in response to the growing demand for student enrolment. After thoroughly reviewing the proposal from the education department, the govt made this decision. Currently, there is an increase in student enrolment for bilingual classes in KPS, and there has been a continuous demand from the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), parents, and public representatives to increase the enrolment limit. The reason for the demand is the quality of education. Since the 2017-18 academic year, 308 KPS were gradually established in the state. These schools started bilingual medium classes from grade one, along with pre-primary classes and classes in Kannada/other mediums. Citing the success of Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Schools in enrolling more students, the state govt stated in the order that it is their constitutional responsibility to provide quality education to more children by maximising available resources. The increased enrolment limit will be implemented in all schools from this academic year. The commissioner of the school education department must issue a circular regarding this and take steps to implement it according to the rules. The state govt also stressed that each pre-primary class or LKG/UKG must have a helper along with the teacher. The govt's order specifies that all available buildings and other resources on the school premises should be utilised to provide all possible opportunities for student enrolment and education. Officials from Dakshina Kannada welcomed the move, stating that there is significant demand for KPS, PM Shri Schools, and Kannada-English bilingual schools in the district. For instance, nine KPS alone recorded a total admission of 6,997 students. The schools have 208 classrooms available, staffed by 191 teachers. "It is an indicator of their popularity," said Govinda Madivala, DDPI, Dakshina Kannada.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
292 Mysuru students selected for national scholarship scheme
Mysuru: About 292 students from Mysuru district were selected under the National Means Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme examination 2024-25 conducted by the Union govt. Under the scheme, selected students studying from Class 9 to 12 in govt and aided educational institutions will be paid a Rs 12,000 scholarship every year. 274 students were allocated for the district, and 18 students were selected additionally, a release stated. 78 students were selected from Mysuru Rural block, Mysuru South-51, T Narasipura-42, Nanjangud-34, Hunsur-24, Mysuru North-22, KR Nagar and HD Kote-18, and 5 students were selected from Periyapatna block. Among the selected students, 98 are from Adarsh Vidyalayas, 20 from KPS schools, 58 from govt high schools, and 45 from govt higher primary schools, while 221 students (75.7%) are from govt schools and 71 (24.3%) from aided institutions. Meanwhile, applications are being received for the year 2025-26. Eligible students who received scholarships in previous years and are studying in govt aided educational institutions in 2025-26, including newly selected students, can obtain bank account details, etc., through the National Scholarship Portal. For details, students can contact respective BEOs.
