65 lakh students are studying in 48,285 government and 6,312 aided schools across the state
65 lakh students are studying in 48,285 government and 6,312 aided schools across the state
The state government has decided to provide free pick-up and drop facility for children studying in government and government-aided schools across Karnataka, and will procure vans for the purpose.
The government will make this purchase from the funds of the Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme. School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) will have to bear the van driver’s salary, fuel charges, vehicle maintenance and other expenses through other sources of funds.
why school van
There are 48,285 government and 6,312 aided schools across the state, and over 65 lakh students are studying in them. A large number of these are located in rural areas.
Access to schools is not easy for people living in areas like Malnad and Western Ghats, given the terrain, forests and heavy rains. Lack of public transport service is another hurdle in areas like Kalyan Karnataka and other northern districts. Distance becomes an issue especially for middle and high school students, and many walk long distances. These factors have often led to high drop-out rates.
In view of this, the government started distributing cycles to high school students from 2006-07. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial problems, the government has put the scheme on hold for two years.
school merger idea
Another factor is the reduction in enrollment in government schools and the government’s plan on school mergers. According to the government, only two to three students are studying in about 3,000 primary schools across the state. And there are only five to 10 students in more than 13,000 schools. The government argues that running a complete school infrastructure is unsustainable when numbers are so low.
The government is planning to start a new “model school” with proper infrastructure, playgrounds and full teaching and non-teaching staff in each gram panchayat across the state from the next academic year. The government plans to merge the low enrollment schools with the nearest model school. The van will then be used to pick up and drop off the students.
School Education and Literacy Minister BC Nagesh told Hindu, “Initially we are not providing school vans to every school. However, where the SDMCs are strong and have the capacity to maintain the vehicle, we will provide them through the MLA-LAD scheme. SDMC can maintain the vehicle with the help of donors, NGOs and other charities. In my constituency, I have already provided a school van in collaboration with the local cooperative society.”