11% of total budget allocated to education sector

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka government has announced a number of major education initiatives in its 2023-24 budget.

The state government has allocated Rs 37,587 crores for education which makes up 11 percent of the total budget allocation. The budget has unveiled several significant educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in Karnataka.

Notable measures include the construction of 8,311 new classrooms for schools and colleges, the establishment of innovative labs in Higher Primary and Pre-University Colleges, and the renovation of 3,833 old and damaged school buildings.

Furthermore, to improve hygiene and the overall health of students, the government plans to construct new toilet complexes in 5775 schools and 150 colleges.

Additionally, the government plans to provide nutritious food options like eggs, peanut chikki, and bananas twice a week to students in government and aided schools from classes 1 to 10. To address lear ning deficiencies in children, the state has launched the Kalika Balavardhane programme.

Furthermore, the Sasya Shamala initiative aims to plant 50 lakh saplings in and around schools, to promote environmental awareness. The budget also emphasises on infrastructure development and has allocated funds to improve facilities at the University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bengaluru.

Conversational English classes will be introduced in all government higher education institutions of the state in collaboration with the British Council and Regional Institute of English. This initiative aims to eliminate language barriers in pursuing higher education and enable university students to write exams in Kannada.

In addition, widely used reference books and syllabi will be translated into Kannada to facilitate learning and comprehension. In an effort to streamline and modernize the education system, the government has made it mandatory for higher education students to register in the Academic Bank of Credits.

Students will also be able to access their marks cards and certificates digitally through NAD/Digilocker. Other measures include the integration of all scholarship schemes under a single program and the transfer of residential hostels to the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare Department.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has received a significant budget allocation in the year 2023-24 to implement the goals of the Right to Education Act and strengthen government schools.

The allocation includes provisions for the construction of new classrooms, toilets, and the repair of dilapidated buildings.