Concerns Raised Over Teacher Shortages and Poor Infrastructure in Karnataka Schools

Bengaluru, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : A delegation from the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) recently visited four government schools in Bengaluru, expressing serious concerns regarding teacher shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, and sanitation issues. They presented their findings to Karnataka’s Education Minister, who promised to take action on these matters. Following the visit, repairs were initiated at the government Urdu school in Varthur the very next day.

CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka, along with national secretary Afreen Nawaz and the Karnataka team, engaged with students, teachers, and school staff to assess the conditions of classrooms, toilets, and personnel.

The delegation highlighted that a significant issue is the deployment of teachers to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties, which disrupts regular classes and leaves schools understaffed. They found the condition of the building at the government Urdu school in Varthur to be particularly poor. At another school in the Sarjapur area, while the principal’s efforts were commendable, eight out of nine teachers were on SIR duty, severely impacting education.

At the next school visited, three out of four teachers were also on SIR duty, and sanitation conditions in the toilets were found to be alarmingly inadequate. Meanwhile, a government school in JP Nagar had better facilities, but still required improvements in toilet cleanliness.

During their meeting with the education minister, the CJP emphasized that assigning teachers to non-academic tasks is hindering students’ learning. They called for the appointment of sufficient alternative teachers, the organization of additional classes, and the assurance of regular teaching in schools.

The education minister informed the delegation about the Karnataka Public Schools initiative, which aims to develop over 2,000 government schools as model institutions. The CJP welcomed this initiative but stressed that alongside developing model schools, the government must also focus on ensuring teacher availability, clean toilets, regular maintenance, and timely repairs in existing schools.

The organization expressed hope that the minister’s assurances would soon translate into tangible improvements, providing safe classrooms, clean facilities, and adequate teaching staff in government schools.