Reshma Ravishanker
The last budget before the state is heading to its assembly polls this summer, Karnataka chief minister Basvaraj Bommai presented budget 2023-24 on Friday, in which an allocation of Rs 37,960 crore has been set aside for education.
This allocation is an improvement from the previous year’s Rs. 31,980 crores.
At the backdrop of these announcements are the recently released ASER report, which ascertains a significant learning loss among students and a report by the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2, which among the major lapses in the state talks about a significant drop in numbers between school and higher education.
Announcements made in the state’s budget focuses on the higher education sector predominantly – specific schemes and scholarships announced for SCST students and the aspirational districts of the state.
Among the significant highlights, Bommai announced the ‘CM Vidya Shakti Scheme’ to enable all the children who pass out of the high schools to continue their higher education. “They will be provided with free education in Government Pre-University and Government Degree Colleges. This decision will benefit 8 lakh students of the State,” said Bommai.
‘Makkala Buss’ scheme has been proposed through which an additional 1,000 schedules will be operated through Road Transport Corporations at the cost of Rs 100 crore. This will benefit additional 2 lakh students every year apart from the 19 lakh beneficiaries.
The government has also proposed to boost infrastructure by providing basic amenities in the Schools and Colleges. Under the Viveka programme 7,601 classrooms are proposed to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,194 crore.
A new University will be established in Chikkamagaluru with maximum utilization of technology and lesser human resources. Polytechnic at Bankapura, Shiggavi taluka will be upgraded to an Engineering college.
Under the “Halli Muthu” scheme, for 500 excellent students who have pursued their school education in rural Government Kannada medium Schools and have been selected for professional courses in Government quota through CET, the fee will be borne by Karnataka Examination Authority.
SCHOOL AND HIGHER EDUCATION
- New centrally sponsored scheme PM SHRI to be implemented at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
- 7,750 toilets in schools and colleges at an estimated cost of Rs.250 crore.
- In the 93 aspirational taluks of the State, at Rs 632 crore 2,284 class rooms constructed during the last year and in the current year, 1,230 additional rooms will be constructed.
- 2,777 classrooms will be repaired which are old and damaged due to heavy rains.
- Additional 260 classrooms in the Government Pre-University Colleges.
- One PU College in 60 taluks to be upgraded as model Pre-University Colleges by providing essential infrastructure in the field of Science Education.
- In aspirational taluks, a grant of Rs.135 crore to increase the learning standards and improve the results.
- “Srushti” tinkering laboratories at a cost of Rs.15 crore in the 73 KarnatakaPublic Schools and 50 Adarsha Vidyalayas to boost scientific temperament.
- Rs 100 crore will be provided for the construction of new Schools in the 23 taluks which do not have Karnataka Public School.
- ‘Abhyudaya’ scheme to be launched in association with JPAL for taking up supplementary teaching to the students of grades 8 and 9 to improve SSLC results.
- Engineering Colleges at Bengaluru, Haveri, Hassan, K.R.Pete, Talakal, Ramanagara and Karwar have been identified for upgradation as Karnataka Institute of Technology (KIT). Rs.50 crore has been provided for developmental works here.
- To eliminate language barriers in higher education and enable writing the exams in all Universities and professional courses of Karnataka in Kannada, widely used reference books and syllabus to be translated within the next one year.
- Science division for infrastructure in 100 selected Degree Colleges in the State under Prof. C.N.R. Rao Science Programme to increase the admission of students in Scientific and Technological professional courses.
- The Government Degree Colleges and Government Polytechnics with highest attendance, one in the district will be developed as “Athyuttama Unnata Shikshana Samsthe” at a cost of Rs 2 crore per institution.
- A new polytechnic will be established at Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumkur district.
- For Aspirational Talukas, Rs 125 crore set aside to strengthen higher education.
PRESCHOOLS AND NUTRITION
Karnataka has been decided to bifurcate the Department of Women and Child Welfare and set up Department of Child Nutrition and Department for Women Empowerment.
- 250 Anganawadi buildings would be constructed at a cost of Rs.50 crore.
- Supplementary Nutrition for out of school adolescent girls (14 to 18) extended to all aspirational taluks.
- To strengthen Anganwadis as per NEP requisites, Rs 30 crores set aside or equipments, textbooks and Anganwadi supervisors and workers training
- Gratuity to Anganawadi workers and Assistants from this year. Rs.40 crore earmarked for this.
- 4,000 new Child Care Centres will be started in the urban areas, 500 kindergartens will be started in rural areas in convergence with NREGS.
Also read: Budget 2023-24: Education sector gets Rs.1.12 lakh crore