Eager to develop Govt Schools with CSR funds: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has once again expressed his desire to develop Government schools in the state with CSR support. While felicitating Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination toppers from government schools at his Bengaluru residence on Tuesday, Shivakumar announced his plan to upgrade government schools utilising CSR funds instead of relying on funds from the state.

The deputy CM expressed that State government is trying to implement a new education system. He also spoke about his plans to provide international quality education to Govt School students in rural areas of Karnataka by developing infrastructure of these schools with CSR funds.

The minister expressed his desire to host a meeting on the development of government schools after the Model Code of Conduct is withdrawn post the Lok Sabha Elections. The Model Code of Conduct lays down a list of do’s and don’ts for political parties and leaders ahead of elections and also restricts the government from announcing policy decisions.

20 Govt Schools in Ramanagara district being upgraded

Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar informed that work is already in progress for upgrading 20 government schools in Ramanagara district. The minister had earlier announced that the government will provide land in the range of 2-4 acres for each school, and companies will construct the schools on the assigned land with their CSR funds. Each school will be equipped with classrooms, a library, a laboratory, toilets, staff rooms, etc. Top-quality schools for the government will be constructed with CSR funds. Each school is expected to cost between Rs 4-7 crore.

CSR commitment of Rs 2000 cr

In November last year, speaking at the inauguration of the three-day long Bangalore Tech Summit, the Deputy Chief Minister made an appeal to technology companies to invest their CSR funds for development of rural schools in Karnataka. “I have had discussions with several people including Rishad Premji of Wipro and they have committed to invest Rs 2000 crores to improve the quality of education in rural areas. While companies are strengthening the finances of the government, the companies also expect some incentives from the government. We have to work together,” Shivakumar had said at the event.

Aim is to prevent migration

“All Karnataka public schools will function as government schools, but the responsibility for education will be delegated to private educational institutions. We have already had a round of discussions with educational institutions. This initiative aims to prevent rural students from migrating to cities for better education. I have submitted a proposal to the Chief Minister to form a committee regarding this,” he had said.

Bengaluru – India’s IT hub

Further emphasizing the point that Bengaluru is India’s IT hub, the minister had said, “Bengaluru has earned its place in the world of technology. It is possible due to the ecosystem the city has to offer. Bengaluru and Karnataka have one of the highest numbers of engineering and medical colleges. Of the five million IT employees in India, two million are in Karnataka. No other State has so much human resource.”