Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 20: In the past five years, a total of 11 government schools in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district have been merged, with a significant number of them located in urban areas. However, officials have clarified that no schools have been permanently closed or merged during the current academic year.

According to the authorities, there is no government proposal to permanently shut down any government school. Schools with no student enrolment may be temporarily closed, but if parents choose to send their children to these schools in the upcoming academic year, they can be reopened. Such efforts are often supported by local gram panchayats, municipal bodies, and alumni associations.

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Each year, new private schools continue to open. In the current academic year, the department has granted approval for four new private schools in the district. Over the past five years, 74 private schools have been established in Dakshina Kannada.

Government schools that have transportation facilities tend to attract more students. However, in many areas, the lack of such facilities is a key reason for declining enrolment. In urban areas, the increase in private schools has contributed to a decrease in the number of government schools.

It is also noted that teachers are allowed to choose and request transfers to schools of their preference. As a result, many opt for schools located in urban or better-equipped areas, which adversely affects schools in remote rural regions.

“Reports indicate that in rural areas, students are reluctant to walk several kilometres to attend government schools. Many parents prefer to send their children to urban schools, and younger children are often enrolled in the same private schools as their siblings. Additionally, there is a growing parental inclination toward English-medium education, which has led to a natural decline in preference for Kannada-medium government schools,” said Govinda Madiwal, DDPI, Dakshina Kannada district.