900 Karnataka Public Schools in the pipeline: Minister

The State Government will establish 900 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) across the State to provide education to rural students on par with private schools, Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Madhu Bangarappa has said.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on January 7, he said 600 schools will be built by the School Education Department, while 300 will be set up through the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Minority Welfare Department, and CSR funds. Of these, 300 schools will come up in the Kalyana Karnataka region, including 200 supported by the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB).

Infrastructure at the 309 existing KPS schools will be strengthened.

Mr. Bangarappa said KPS schools will offer education from LKG to second PUC with facilities such as computers, bilingual learning, music and skill training. Teachers will be provided need-based training to improve learning outcomes.

He said allowing students to write SSLC and second PUC examinations three times a year had improved pass rates, with 1.16 lakh SSLC and 56,000 second PUC students passing in the last academic year (2025).

The Minister said 11,000 teachers, including 5,800 in the Kalyana Karnataka region, will be recruited, with appointments expected by May–June. To overcome a shortage of about 51,000 teachers, guest teachers were appointed to avoid disruption in education.

“Our priority is not just recruitment, but ensuring quality education,” the Minister said.

MLC Jagdev Guttedar, Additional Commissioner of School Education Department Rahul Pandve, and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhanwar Singh Meena were present at the press conference.