BENGALURU: The Karnataka government's proposal to allow private institutions to adopt government-run schools has triggered widespread criticism from teachers, academics, student organisations and education activists, with several groups raising concerns over the future of public education in the state.
The controversy intensified following remarks made by Aishwarya Shivakumar, head of a private educational institution and trustee-secretary of the National Education Foundation, at a corporate social responsibility (CSR) event organised by the state government. Speaking about the foundation's involvement in supporting the Karnataka Public School in Doddalahalli, she argued that teacher accountability, rather than staff shortages alone, was a major concern.
"More than teacher shortage, low efficiency is the problem," she said.
Explaining her concerns, Aishwarya claimed that despite teachers receiving salaries of around Rs 1.1 lakh, some were not attending school regularly. She also pointed out that private organisations investing resources in government schools should have the authority to monitor staff attendance and performance.
Her comments came alongside the Chief Minister's expression of disappointment over the commitment of certain government schoolteachers drawing salaries of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh. However, he clarified that his criticism was not directed at the entire teaching community.
The remarks drew a strong response from JD(S) MLC A P Ranganath, who represents the Bangalore Teachers' Constituency. He criticised the statements, arguing that they undermined the dignity and professional credibility of government schoolteachers.
Ranganath highlighted that teachers appointed to government schools undergo prescribed eligibility tests and competitive recruitment procedures. He also pointed to the contribution of government schools in producing several prominent administrators, scientists, writers, judges and lawyers.
While acknowledging that establishing and operating private educational institutions is an individual's choice, he maintained that private and government schools should not be judged by the same standards, given their different responsibilities and working conditions.
"Private education may be a choice, but public education is a constitutional and social responsibility," he said.
He further argued that government schoolteachers are expected to handle numerous responsibilities beyond classroom teaching. These include supervising midday meals, distributing eggs, conducting census and livestock surveys, participating in caste surveys, revising electoral rolls and carrying out election-related duties.
According to Ranganath, such additional assignments, combined with vacant teaching positions and inadequate infrastructure, have placed considerable pressure on government school staff. He said it was unfair to question teachers' dedication without addressing the administrative and systemic challenges affecting public schools.
Raising concerns about the government's approach, the MLC warned against allowing private interests to gain greater control over the public education system. He urged the Congress leadership to protect government schools from increasing market-driven influence and referred to the constitutional guarantees under Articles 21A and 14.
Opposition to the adoption proposal has also come from several education groups and civil society organisations. The Save Public Education Committee accused the government of shifting responsibility for shortcomings in public education onto teachers instead of addressing policy failures and inadequate government support.
The committee termed the proposal "anti-people" and expressed apprehension that the move could eventually weaken the government school system. It also objected to private institutions being permitted to attach their names to the government schools they adopt.
A meeting organised by the committee saw participation from former vice-chancellors A Murigeppa and Sabiha Bhoomigowda, writers K Marulasiddappa, S G Siddaramaiah, Roopa Hassan and Hema Pattanshetty, along with educationist V P Niranjanaradhya.
Other organisations have also called for the government to reconsider its decision. The All-India Democratic Students' Organisation demanded that the policy be withdrawn, while the RTE Students Parents Association maintained that ensuring the proper functioning of government schools was the state's responsibility. Meanwhile, All Karnataka Pre-University Lecturers' Association president A H Ningegowda stressed the need to fill vacant teaching positions.
Ranganath also called on Aishwarya to understand the service conditions and challenges faced by government teachers and sought an apology for the remarks. Describing teachers as more than government employees, he said they were "nation-builders".
There were differing accounts of the scope of his criticism, with some reports suggesting that he had specifically objected to Aishwarya's comments, while others stated that his remarks were directed at both her and her father.
The growing opposition has brought renewed attention to the debate over private participation in government schools, teacher accountability and the state's responsibility to strengthen public education rather than shift its obligations to private organisations.
(With inputs from media reports)