Karnataka to extend Voluntary Scheme for Schools upto June 15

Bangalore, Jun 5 (UNI) Karnataka government today extended the time for educational institutions to opt for voluntary scheme upto June 15. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti announced today.

Explaining the scheme, he told newsmen here that those schools, which had violated the government order and taught in English medium. Were now given a final opportunity to opt for the scheme and pay penalty after filing an undertaking in the form of an affidavit with regard to maintaining the Kannada medium of instruction as ordered earlier.

The government had derecognised 2951 schools for violating the undertaking and these managements had obtained permission from the government to run the schools on condition that they would give education in Kannada medium. The Karnataka High Court, acting on a petition filed by the School Managements Association, had come down heavily on the schools teaching in English medium in violation of the government order. upholding the order of the government, the court had also directed it to relocate students of 400 derecognised schools.

Replying to queries he hoped that the school managements would now abide by the government order and pay penalty immediately as the decision to extend the date was taken keeping in view the overall interests of 3.69 lakh students.

Mr Horatti, who held a top level meeting of the department officials, instructed them to strictly initiate disciplinary action against earring officials who complied with the school managements with regard to violation of government rules.

He said the government decided to do away with the trimester system in schools from this year and follow semister scheme as the trimester scheme was inconvenient to students.

He said action would be initiated against English medium school management from next year if they insisted on distributing school uniforms, textbooks, shoes and socks thereby causing heavy burden on parents.

UNI