Karnataka CM seeks private school support to improve rural education and curb migration to cities

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged private school managements across the state to partner with government schools in rural areas, calling for greater participation in improving educational quality and infrastructure.

The initiative aims to strengthen government schools, provide rural students with better learning opportunities and reduce migration from villages to cities for education. The state government plans to connect 1,000 government schools with private institutions in the initial phase.

Speaking at the launch of the 'Namma Shaale Namma Javabdari' (Our School, Our Responsibility) programme on Nov 4, Shivakumar said the government had introduced a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy to encourage private institutions to support rural schools.

He addressed representatives of private school managements and companies at a meeting held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha. The program was organized to seek participation in the development of government schools.

"Our government has implemented a new CSR policy. All private school managements in the state should come forward to adopt or join hands for the development of government schools in rural areas," the Chief Minister said.

Karnataka plans to link 2,000 government schools with private institutions

Shivakumar said the state government was considering connecting 2,000 government schools with private schools under the initiative. Karnataka has divided its 6,000 panchayats into three divisions to facilitate the implementation.

The initial target is to bring 1,000 government schools into partnerships with private institutions. The government expects the program to produce results over the next four to five years.

"You should include children from our rural schools along with your school children and provide quality education to help them come up in life. We are thinking of linking a total of 2,000 government schools with private schools in this manner. We have divided 6,000 panchayats into three divisions. Initially, we have a target of linking 1,000 government schools with private schools for their development. This is just the beginning; in 4-5 years, our efforts will yield good results," he said.

The Chief Minister said private school managements would have the freedom to select government schools for adoption. Their contributions could depend on their financial capacity and would not necessarily involve large infrastructure projects.

What support can private schools provide to government schools?

Shivakumar said private institutions could contribute in several ways, including providing teachers, laboratory equipment, computers and transportation facilities. He emphasized that schools did not need to invest ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore in constructing buildings to participate.

Private schools could instead send experienced teachers to government institutions and pay their salaries. He also suggested transferring school buses to government schools rather than selling them.

"The government will not decide which schools the private school managements should take up. Choose as per your convenience. Decide after looking at your financial condition. If you cannot give Rs 5-10 crore and construct buildings, it's okay; send your expert teachers to government schools. Give 10 teachers from your school. You pay their salary. Don't go to sell your private school bus; give it to a government school. If you give lab materials and computers, it will be helpful. This is a kind of knowledge exchange," he said.

He described the proposed collaboration as a knowledge exchange arrangement through which government schools could benefit from the teaching expertise and resources available at private institutions.

Shivakumar also urged private school managements to bring students from rural government schools into learning activities alongside their own students. The government believes such partnerships could improve educational opportunities for children in villages.

Karnataka has ₹8,800 crore annual CSR fund for development

The Chief Minister said Karnataka has an annual CSR fund of ₹8,800 crore and urged companies operating in the state to prioritize the development of primary schools in rural areas.

He said he had held discussions with company managements and requested them to make rural school development their first priority while allocating CSR funds. According to Shivakumar, companies had already started working on the initiative.

"There is a total CSR fund of Rs 8,800 crore annually in the state. I have held talks with the management of all companies in the state and requested that utilisation of CSR funds for development of primary schools in rural areas should be the first priority. They have already started work. Now it is your turn," he explained to the private school managements who had arrived.

Shivakumar also said he had discussed the utilization of CSR funds with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister had met her to raise concerns about companies diverting funds generated in Karnataka to other locations.

"Regarding this CSR matter, the Chief Secretary and I met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and held talks. Some open offices in Mumbai, register companies here, and utilise money earned here there. They release it like that and take back 50% of the money. I have requested to put an end to this business," he added.

He urged the authorities to address the practice of companies registering in Karnataka while directing funds generated within the state elsewhere. He said such arrangements resulted in a portion of the money being taken back.

CSR-funded development work begins in 30 Bengaluru schools

Highlighting projects already underway, Shivakumar said CSR-funded development activities had started in 30 government schools in Bengaluru South district.

Construction and development work had been completed in 10% of these schools, while work was continuing in eight institutions. Agreements had also been finalized with another 12 schools.

"In Bengaluru South district, development works have started in 30 schools using CSR funds of companies. Work has been completed in 10% of them, work is going on in 8 schools, and agreements have been completed with 12 schools. Toyota company has helped in the construction of 23 schools in Ramanagara district. It is investing Rs 10 to 15 crore per school. The government itself has given the plan for building construction. But under no circumstances will the government take CSR money," he clarified.

The Chief Minister also cited Toyota's contribution to school infrastructure development in Ramanagara district. The company has supported the construction of 23 schools, investing ₹10 crore to ₹15 crore in each institution.

He said the government had provided the construction plans for these projects but would not directly take CSR funds.

Private schools can add their names to adopted government schools

Shivakumar said private school managements contributing to the development of government schools would be allowed to add their institution's name to the government school's existing name.

He cited the example of Hegganur Government School near the Tamil Nadu border, which has been permitted to use the name 'Hegganur Government Toyota School' after Toyota's contribution.

"If private schools develop government schools, they can add their school name to the government school's name. We have given permission to name the Hegganur Government School on the Tamil Nadu border as 'Hegganur Government Toyota School'," he explained.

The provision is intended to recognize the contributions of private institutions and companies supporting the development of government schools.

Shivakumar highlights private schools' role in improving education

The Chief Minister acknowledged the contribution of private schools to Karnataka's educational reputation and said their teaching standards and institutional capabilities could benefit government institutions.

He also recognized the financial challenges involved in establishing and operating private schools. Shivakumar said the government had adopted a supportive approach toward private institutions.

"The government has a soft approach towards private schools. Everything is improving your economy. Building private schools is not easy. I know that difficulty. I have information that private schools are charging fees ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. I am aware that private school managements are financially strong enough to adopt government schools," he said.

He said private schools charge fees ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh and argued that their resources and educational expertise could be extended to government institutions.

"Private schools have brought fame to this state. The quality of education there, the capability is very good. If a small part of it is extended to government schools, migration from rural areas to urban areas for education can be avoided. Adopting government schools and joining hands for their development is your duty. You have also come from villages. Shouldn't you give something back to your village school?" he said.

Shivakumar said better educational facilities in villages could reduce the need for families to move to cities. He appealed to private school managements to contribute to the development of institutions in the communities they originally came from.

Karnataka borrows ₹2,000 crore from World Bank for school infrastructure

Shivakumar said the state government had secured a ₹2,000 crore loan from the World Bank for infrastructure development in Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

He said the government was working to improve school facilities but emphasized that infrastructure development alone would not be sufficient. Improving teaching standards and the quality of education would also remain important.

"We have taken a loan of Rs 2,000 crore from the World Bank and taken up infrastructure development works of KPS schools. Government school teachers are being paid salaries ranging from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh. But quality still needs to be improved. Now we have given more emphasis to the quality of teachers at the time of selection itself. The truth is, in school institutions, we are all only trustees. Today we are there; tomorrow someone else will come. Only the work we do will be permanent. Therefore, private school managements should become partners with government schools. This is a good cause," he said.

The Chief Minister said government school teachers receive monthly salaries ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. However, he maintained that the quality of education still needed improvement and that the government was placing greater emphasis on teacher quality during recruitment.

He also described educational institutions as public responsibilities, saying their managements should focus on making lasting contributions rather than treating their positions as permanent.

Shivakumar further said that one private school could potentially adopt three government schools under the proposed arrangement. He added that the government had established a separate department for global investment and that people living abroad had already come forward to support schools in their native villages.

"Government schools and private schools are shaping good children and making them assets to the state. You should take our government schools to the quality of your school. This is your primary duty. One private school has the opportunity to adopt 3 schools. Our government has started a separate department for global investment. Already, people living abroad have come forward to develop schools in their villages," he added.

Karnataka CM links Bengaluru traffic congestion to education migration

The Chief Minister also connected Bengaluru's growing traffic congestion with the concentration of employment and educational opportunities in the city.

He said families often move from rural areas to Bengaluru because they want their children to access better schools. This migration adds to the pressure on the city's roads and public infrastructure.

"In Bengaluru, road widening is 8%; in Mysuru, it is 18-20%. Bengaluru has a population of 1.40 crore, with 1.20 lakh vehicles. It takes 1 hour for children to reach school. The reason for Bengaluru's congestion is employment and education. Every father is ready to sacrifice anything to give good education to his children. If those children get education in that village itself, pressure on Bengaluru will reduce," he said.

Shivakumar said road widening in Bengaluru stood at 8%, compared with 18% to 20% in Mysuru. He also referred to the city's population of 1.40 crore and said children sometimes spend an hour traveling to school.

He argued that improving educational opportunities in rural areas could reduce the need for families to relocate to Bengaluru. This, in turn, could help ease the pressure on the city's roads.

Shivakumar calls teachers one of four pillars of society

Describing teachers as one of the four pillars of society, alongside farmers, laborers and soldiers, Shivakumar urged private school managements to contribute to the state's educational development.

He also referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's remarks about Bengaluru's growing international importance. According to the Chief Minister, Karnataka has 38 of the country's 140 international-standard schools.

"There are four pillars in democracy. Similarly, there are four pillars of society: farmer, labourer, soldier and teacher. You are also a pillar of society. You should serve the state and the country. In this very Banquet Hall, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that world leaders used to come to Delhi and go to various parts of the country. But now times have changed. Now the time has come when all world leaders come to Bengaluru and then go to Delhi. There are 140 international standard schools in the country, of which 38 are in Karnataka," he said.

Shivakumar also praised the performance of government school students at the Rajyotsava celebrations held at Kanteerava Stadium. He said their cultural performances, talent and discipline demonstrated that government school students were capable of achieving high standards.

"I was amazed to see the cultural programme of our government school children at the Rajyotsava programme at Kanteerava Stadium. Our children are no less than anyone. I was happy to see their ability and discipline. I have said they should be taken not just to Rajyotsava but to the Dasara programme. Today's children's ability and intelligence are amazing. It should be used properly. All private school managements should become partners in the development of this state and rural development," he called upon.

The Chief Minister urged private school managements to work with the state government to improve rural education, strengthen government institutions and ensure that children in villages have access to quality learning opportunities.