Karnataka panel recommends Rs 10,000 crore for school infrastructure
Bengaluru (PTI): A sub-committee of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission has recommended that the state government allocate Rs 10,000 crore to improve infrastructure in primary schools to ensure compliance with the RTE Act.
The commission’s vice-chairman and Congress MLA from Aland, B R Patil, submitted the report to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also heads the panel, on Thursday.
The commission urged the government to consider the recommendations in the 2026–27 state budget and focus on improving RTE implementation, reducing dropout rates, and restructuring higher education to meet emerging challenges.
The report stated, “To ensure that at least 50 per cent of primary schools in the state comply with the standards and norms of the RTE Act, we recommend allocating Rs 10,000 crore to strengthen infrastructure in government schools. The overall timeframe for achieving 50 per cent compliance should not exceed three years.”
The panel said a comprehensive roadmap must be prepared for the “effective and meaningful implementation” of the RTE Act, noting that enforcement had weakened in recent years.
It urged the School Education Department to draw up a realistic action plan to ensure statewide adherence to statutory norms.
Calling for the strengthening of School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), the report stressed that democratic processes must be strictly followed in their constitution and that political interference should be eliminated. It also recommended decentralisation of funds and greater community participation in school governance.
The sub-committee proposed a phased expansion of the RTE Act to cover children aged 4 to 18 years, stating that restricting the legal guarantee to the 6–14 age group was inadequate in the current educational landscape.
To improve retention at the secondary level, the panel recommended reviving the free bicycle distribution scheme for girls. Citing a secondary-level dropout rate of 22.9 per cent, it described the scheme as an “essential investment in equity and opportunity.”
In higher education, the report advised against filling vacant teaching posts without reassessing long-term academic requirements in view of technological advancements and artificial intelligence. It recommended setting up an expert committee within six months to review degree programmes and faculty needs.
The panel further proposed creating a Karnataka State Research Endowment Fund to address declining central research grants and boost innovation, patents, and academic output in universities and colleges.
It also called for establishing Skill Development Departments in every university and constituting Industry-Academia Advisory Boards to better align curricula with evolving employment demands.
The recommendations were finalised by five sub-committees of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission and submitted to the government for consideration in the upcoming budget.
The 204-page KSPPC report also includes recommendations on health, environment, agriculture, women and child development, and labourers’ welfare.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
