Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 7: In a significant move, the Karnataka government has extended Dasara holidays for all government and aided schools across the state until 18 October, to enable teachers to participate in the ongoing statewide socio-educational (caste-based) survey.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha, where chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar addressed the media.
“The survey has not progressed as expected. In districts like Koppal, it has reached 97%, but in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, it’s only around 63%. We need more time,” said chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Representational image
He stressed that the survey must be completed by October 19, and added that the holidays were being extended specifically to facilitate teacher participation.
The socio-educational survey, which began on September 22, was originally scheduled to conclude by October 8, but delays in several regions forced the government to revise the timeline. According to officials, over 1.2 lac teachers and nearly 60,000 other government staff have been mobilised for the exercise.
The extension comes after strong appeals from teachers’ associations, who requested additional time to complete the massive enumeration process. “We held a meeting with representatives from the Commission for Backward Classes and other stakeholders. Based on their recommendations, an extra eight-day holiday has been declared,” Siddaramaiah added.
However, teachers involved in the ongoing II PUC examinations will be exempt from survey duties, while all others are expected to contribute.
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar assured that students' education will not suffer due to the extended holidays. “Special classes will be conducted in the coming days. Teachers’ unions have agreed to adjust the schedule so that the curriculum is covered without disruption,” he stated.
The government also announced an enhanced honorarium of Rs 20,000 for teachers and officials participating in the survey. “Earlier, Rs 5,000 was paid as an advance. Now the remaining amount will be released,” the CM said.
Meanwhile, in a tragic development, three staff members lost their lives while on duty during the survey. The government has promised a compensation of Rs 20 lac each to their families.
The chief minister also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any official who fails to participate in the survey.
The socio-educational survey, spearheaded by the Backward Classes Commission, is seen as a key initiative in understanding the state’s social structure and aiding in welfare policy formulation.
Present at the briefing were Madhusudan Naik, chairperson of the Backward Classes Commission, along with senior officials from the GBA.