Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has directed the state's Education Department to study the steps taken by Delhi to improve the quality of education in schools, and has sought a report on it. In a series of tweets, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that the Kumaraswamy government has prioritised education at a meeting with officials of the department.
Recruitment of teachers, maintenance of school buildings, providing infrastructure to schools were also discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister has directed officials to submit a comprehensive report on improving the quality of education in government schools. "There must be no compromise," he said.
The Chief Minister has suggested that the officials study the steps taken by Delhi government and submit a report recommending ways to improve the quality of education in Karnataka's government schools.
The CM suggested that officials study the steps taken by Delhi Govt and submit a report recommending ways to improve the quality here in Karnataka.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 3, 2018
Recruitment of teachers, maintenance of school buildings& infrastructure issues were among the points discussed in the meeting.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has welcomed the initiative. "Delhi government will be more than happy to share its experiences with the government of Karnataka," he said.
Delhi govt will be more than happy to share its experiences wid Govt of Karnataka https://t.co/LQdjRBccO7
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 4, 2018
The Karnataka government's efforts to enhance the quality of education in government schools comes at a time the Delhi government is earning praise for transforming its government schools to not only have better infrastructure but also impart teaching comparable to private schools.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government which came to power in 2015 had prioritised improving the quality of education in government schools. Government schools were redeveloped and teachers and educators were given training.
The changes include a 'Happiness Curriculum' designed by 40 government school teachers and educators in Delhi. Students between kindergarten and Class 8 have a period set aside in their timetable for meditation, storytelling, value education and mental exercises.
These Indian schools are giving lessons in happiness https://t.co/gXUQzN0hqV #India #education pic.twitter.com/rU9uxSk4Xj
— World Economic Forum (@wef) August 27, 2018
It has led to an upsurge in enrollment in government schools and is a model that Karnataka appears to be considering as a blueprint to be followed.
The state government has also been in the news as it is considering reducing the number of government-run schools in the country and focus on improving their quality. Education Minister Sa Ra Mahesh has confirmed that the state government is planning to merge single-teacher schools in the state with nearby schools so that it can ensure quality education to students.
Dr Shalini Rajaneesh, Principal Secretary to Government, Primary and Secondary Education, Dr PC Jaffer, Commissioner, Department of Public Instructions, were present in the meeting held on Monday.
(With IANS inputs)