This year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations will feature a remarkable increase in participation from government school students, according to Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Madhu Bangarappa. More than 700 children from government schools are set to take part in cultural programs on November 1, a significant jump from 300 participants last year. This year, the performances will be exclusively presented by students from government institutions.
Speaking on October 30, Minister Bangarappa expressed his and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s particular delight at the growing representation from Karnataka Public Schools (KPS). “We have a total of 1,700 participants this time, with approximately 700 hailing from government schools. This clearly demonstrates that our public schools are capable of delivering excellent, activity-oriented performances,” he stated.
As he oversees the event for the third consecutive year as the Minister for School Education and Literacy Education, Mr. Bangarappa emphasized that the substantial inclusion of government school students underscores the State’s broader commitment to enhancing public education. He also noted the goal of making cultural programs and the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations more engaging for everyone.
The Minister highlighted the positive reception of the Karnataka Public School model, an initiative designed to elevate the quality of education in government institutions across the state. “While we initially planned for 500 KPS schools in the budget, the overwhelming demand prompted us to increase that number to 800. Financial provisions for this expansion have been secured through various programs, including Kalyana Karnataka, Akshara Avishkara, and grants for mining-affected areas,” he explained.
Each KPS institution is designed to accommodate up to 1,200 students. “In the preceding five years, only around 300 schools were developed. Now, within just two and a half years, we are establishing 800 schools simultaneously. This initiative will particularly benefit children in rural areas, granting them access to high-quality education closer to their homes,” the Minister affirmed.
Regarding the decision to lower the pass marks from 35 to 33, Mr. Bangarappa clarified that this measure was based on expert recommendations and extensive public consultations. “This matter was thoroughly discussed during the 2024 round-table conference on education reforms, which even Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti attended. He had also voiced support for the idea. Across various associations, parents, and students, over 700 individuals backed the 33 pass marks proposal, with only eight expressing opposition,” he elaborated.
While Mr. Horatti penned a letter on October 29 opposing the decision, Mr. Bangarappa clarified that the letter was not addressed to him directly. “I will review the matter and engage in a discussion with him (Horatti). However, given his prior involvement in discussions that favored this change, I believe there isn’t a significant difference of opinion. This adjustment also aligns with the Central syllabus and will assist more students from Karnataka in qualifying for and securing job opportunities within the State, who might otherwise miss out by a narrow margin,” he concluded.
In his letter, Mr. Horatti had labeled the reduction in pass marks as ‘unfortunate,’ contending that it is an unscientific move and emphasizing the importance for students to effectively face examinations in today’s competitive world.