Karnataka Education Department Envisions Fresh Reforms As Infrastructure Boosts Egg Expansion And NEP 2020 Is Scrapped

In one of the major policy reforms, the Siddaramiah-led Congress government announced in its state budget for FY 2023-24 the scrapping of the centre's National Education Policy 2020 and the formulation of the state's education policy, in line with the state's local, social, cultural, and economic milieu. The new strategy intends to raise the state's higher education standards to a worldwide level, as well as to enable youngsters to compete globally and earn employment prospects.

The Congress government has allocated Rs 37,587 crore (11% of total budget expenditure) to the education sector. However, the allocation is 1% lower and Rs 373 crore lower than former Chief Minister Basavaraj bommai's budget provided before the elections for FY

While the government intends to finish the construction of 8311 classrooms in pre-university colleges and schools with a total allotment of Rs 550 crore this year, it has also set aside Rs 200 crore for the construction of new toilet complexes. In proportion to student strength, bathroom facilities will be built in 5775 schools and 150 institutions.

In addition, the chief minister has set aside Rs 100 crore for 3833 old, dilapidated, and rain-damaged school buildings and 724 PU college rooms. In addition, each government elementary and high school in the state will receive a grant ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 45,000 for building maintenance. A total grant of Rs 153 crore would be awarded for the current fiscal year for the maintenance of around 47,272 schools and 1231 PU colleges.

To combat the threat of bogus mark sheets, the government would require all higher education students to register with the Academic Bank of Credits and access mark cards and certificates through NAD/Digilocker. Meanwhile, 224 residential hostels with a total capacity of 13,169 students will be moved from the higher education department to the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare department.

Suitable training programmes for about 7800 departmental workers will also be provided at Higher Education Academy under the Vruthi Chaitanya initiative at a cost of Rs 10 crore. To ensure consistency in the process of filling PhD seats throughout the state's universities, common counselling would be undertaken for PhD seats across all government universities, with 40% of the seats reserved for women.