NEWS  – A report titled “Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: Where Do We Stand” highlights these issues.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Compiled by the Right to Education Cell (RTE Cell) and Council for Social Development (CSD), New Delhi.

KEY FINDINGS ABOUT THE REGION

• Literacy rate in the region is 63.71% (lower than the state average of 75.36%)
• 115 government schools report zero student enrollment.
• 241 government schools have only 1 to 10 students enrolled.
• 65% of government schools are single-teacher institutions, compared to 6% state average and 7% national average.

SYSTEMIC GAPS  

• Neglected investment in education, high teacher vacancies, and the closure of government schools as primary concerns.
• Only 25.5% of educational norms are met nationwide (report by the Union Ministry of School Education and Literacy). Karnataka’s compliance is even lower at 23.6%, described as “deplorable” given the state’s socio-economic status.
• Karnataka allocated only 11% of its 2023-24 Budget to education, below the national average of 14.7%.

IMPACT OF INCREASED PRIVATE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

• The rise in private school enrollments corresponds with the rationalization and closure of small, low-enrollment government schools.
• Many students are dropping out, particularly from socio-economically marginalized groups, due to the closure of nearby schools.
• The government’s failure to fill teacher vacancies and close schools diminishes access to public education.

RECENT MEASURES AND THEIR CRITIQUES

• The introduction of board exams for classes 5 and 9 is criticized for contradicting RTE provisions.
• The state has prioritized Karnataka Public Schools over improving government schools, which is deemed inequitable and ineffective.
• Emphasis on English-medium instruction and reliance on guest teachers reflect disregard for the RTE Act’s standards.

TEACHER VACANCY CRISIS

• Karnataka has the highest number of teacher vacancies, with 141,358 positions unfilled.
• There is a significant increase in single-teacher schools and high pupil-teacher ratios.

IMPACT ON ACADEMIC SUPPORT

• The State Council for Educational Research and Training and the District Institute of Education and Training face severe vacancies (60% and 27% unfilled, respectively), limiting academic support.

QUALITY OF EDUCATION

• Various assessments show “poor education quality” linked to inadequate teacher professional development (TPD).
• The state heavily relies on online courses and resources like NISHTHA and DIKSHA, which may not be sufficient.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The report suggests adopting Kerala’s approach to teacher training using open-source digital technologies to enhance professional development and uphold children’s right to quality education.