Exclusive allocation of IT teachers to KPS schools opposed

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The reported decision of the State government to allocate all 2,500 newly announced Information Technology (IT) teacher posts exclusively to Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) has drawn criticism from student activists, who allege that the move discriminates against rural government schools already facing severe staff shortages.

The Mysuru district committee of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has strongly opposed the reservation of all newly created IT teacher posts for KPS institutions.

The government recently announced the recruitment of 2,500 IT teachers as part of its initiative to introduce computer education from Class I in government schools across Karnataka. However, AIDSO argued that the benefits of the programme should be extended to all government schools rather than being concentrated in a single category of institutions.

AIDSO District Secretary Nithin alleged that KPS schools had also been given preference during the recent recruitment of 11,000 guest teachers and in teacher transfer processes. “Rural government schools have served generations of poor and marginalised students. Yet, the government is increasingly prioritising the relatively new KPS system,” he said.

The organisation stated that statewide protests are already being conducted under the leadership of AIDSO and the Save Public Education Committee against the merger of rural government schools with KPS institutions. In a statement here, it alleged that strong public opposition has prevented the closure of several government schools, but authorities are now attempting to weaken them by diverting resources, infrastructure and teaching staff to KPS schools.

AIDSO claimed that nearly 7,000 schools across the State are functioning with only one teacher. It noted that schools in North Karnataka and the Kalyana Karnataka region continue to face acute staffing shortages despite having significant student enrolment.

The organisation urged the government to prioritise recruitment and depl