Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, May 15: To increase student enrollment in government schools for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, an innovative 'Child Enrollment Awareness Campaign' has been launched, stated Bantwal block education officer Malathi.

Addressing a press conference at the BC Road Press Club, she explained that the enrollment drive is structured across three levels: the block level on May 15, the hobli level on May 18, and the cluster level on May 20.

Early preparations and tracking

The Department of School Education, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka, the block education office, and the Block Resource Centre (BRC) have been actively executing enrollment-related activities since November of the previous academic year. Awareness is being consistently raised through meetings with teachers, parents, and School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMC).

Officials have also visited Anganwadi centres within the school jurisdictions to gather data on children who have reached the eligible age for admission into the first standard.

Bantwal educational statistics

The Bantwal educational zone comprises a total of 233 government schools, which includes 42 lower primary, 152 higher primary, and 39 high schools.

Highlighting academic achievements, the BEO noted that 16 government schools in Bantwal taluk secured a 100% pass rate in the 2025-26 SSLC examinations.

Furthermore, the government has already initiated LKG and UKG classes in three schools within the taluk. For the current academic year, LKG classes have been sanctioned for 60 schools, with 28 of these schools having already received a grant of Rs 1 lac each. She also assured that proactive measures are being taken to ensure there is no shortage of teachers in government schools this year.

Focus on skill-based learning

The BEO provided details on specialized educational initiatives available in the taluk:

• NSQF Schools: Government schools in Vamadapadavu, Kurnadu, Kanyana, and Siddakatte operate under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). These institutions provide skill-based education, facilitating better learning, employment readiness, and diverse vocational training.

• PM SHRI Schools: Six schools in the Bantwal zone have been designated as PM SHRI schools, which are currently being upgraded under the National Education Policy (NEP).
Countering private school dominance

Speaking at the press meet, taluk panchayat executive officer Sachin Kumar said, "Amidst the aggressive promotional campaigns by private schools, government schools are often sidelined, leading to a false narrative that they are shutting down. To counter this, the government and the department have organised this campaign to inform the public about the academic achievements and the high quality of education provided in our government schools."

He urged parents to actively participate in the enrollment drive and consider admitting their children to government schools, which currently offer an excellent environment conducive to quality education.

BRC Vidya and district adult education coordinator Fathima B provided additional supplementary information during the meet. Education coordinators (ECO) Ramananda Noojippady, Sudha, and Prathima were also present.