K'taka Govt to consider re-granting of recognition to erring schools

Bangalore, May 25 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will consider applications of private schools, whose recognition were withdrawn for teaching in English, if they had applied for recognition before May 15, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti said today.

Speaking to newsmen here, he said he was happy that the court, in its order, expressed opinion that those who violated law would not be spared. Keeping in view the students interests, it was decided to consider the applications of school managements even if they had not paid the fine but had applied for recognition.

The government had earlier derecognised over 2215 schools for teaching students in English after obtaining permission for Kannada medium.

The Court, in its order yesterday, had said that these school managements should not violate the government instructions on the language policy and abide by the government's decision to pay Rs One lakh towards administrative expenses.

Explaining other activities of the department, he said that the Commissioners of Public Instruction at Dharwad and Gulbarga would be given powers on the lines of those enjoyed by their counterpart in Bangalore city. The Joint Director's offices would be merged with the CPI there to facilitate easy and smooth functioning, he added saying that 167 new posts would be created for the purpose.

He said 2684 special teachers would be recruited soon to teach arts, music and Crafts to children at cluster level. Four houses in each of the 158 villages at Grama Panchayat level would be constructed for teachers with an investment of Rs 19 crores. In all over 2000 houses would be constructed in remote villages, he added.

He said Physical Education had been made compulsory from Sixth standard to Ninth standard and the government had earmarked Rs two crores for the purpose.

Mr Horatti said that over 245 teachers had remained absent from valuation of answer scripts and disciplinary action would be initiated against them.

He said job oriented courses related to Banking, Horticulture, Sericulture, Audio-visual Education and Electrical wiring would be permitted to be taught in education institutions.

He said Government Press, working in six places, would be merged and located near Kengeri. State-of-the-art printing machines would be installed at Government Printing Presses in Gulbarga and Dharwad, he added.

UNI