"Don't bring excuses like lack of teachers.": Karnataka CM asks officials to hasten education sector work

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed sternly Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and education officials at a high-level review meeting of the state school education system.

The CM cautioned against poor SSLC performance, delay in infrastructure projects, declining enrollment in government schools, and inaction on child marriage and teenage pregnancy cases.

During the onset of the meeting, Siddaramaiah went through the School Education Department's performance and called out districts that had not performed.

"Do not give excuses such as lack of teachers or staff for poor SSLC performance. Only Dakshina Kannada and a couple of other districts are giving good results. DDPI officers need to take responsibility. DCPIs and District In-charge Secretaries need to go to schools and inspect them. It should be checked if teachers are working with enthusiasm or not. Do not provide unnecessary excuses. If DDPI officers and teachers work with commitment, good results will come everywhere," he stated.

He also complained about delays in the construction of classrooms under the Viveka scheme even when funds were disbursed.

"Under the Viveka scheme, there can be no delay in sanctioning funds for the construction of classrooms. Action plans have to be made at once. Although funds were released, construction of classrooms has not yet started anywhere," Siddaramaiah said.

Emphasizing the problem of dwindling students in government schools, he added officials need to talk to parents and make sure no child is dropped out.

"Teachers and officials have to talk to parents to stop government school students from leaving in large numbers. Everything has to be done to avoid dropouts. District in-charge secretaries have to check if DDPIs and BEOs are going to schools. The annual reduction in government school enrollments is an unhealthy trend. Eggs, milk, ragi malt, soup, and hostel facilities are being offered by the government, but the enrollments are reducing. Identify from officials what ground-level problems are causing this and take action to correct them," the CM directed.

Taking a firm stand, Siddaramaiah instructed the Chief Secretary to take disciplinary action against underperforming education officers.

"Firm instructions are being issued to the CEOs, district collectors, and district in-charge secretaries of the districts where results in the exams and enrolment percentages are below the state average. Things have to improve by next academic year," he stated.

"CEOs of Hyderabad Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka districts should take a closer look and remain interested. Reasons and alibis for bad results do not matter, but getting results does. Sincere efforts will bring honest results," he said.

Addressing the matter of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, the CM directed officials to address such cases with seriousness and legal intent.

"Don't you think child marriage and cases of teenage pregnancy must be prevented properly?" he asked, raising a doubt about the seriousness of the officials. 

He said such things were prevalent in backward regions and among weaker sections and need to be dealt with in a strict manner. 

"Child marriage and teen pregnancy cases should not be treated lightly. File criminal cases," the Chief Minister asserted.