Shivamogga, May 22 (IANS). Commenting on students’ support for wearing saffron shawls in schools in the backdrop of the Karnataka government allowing hijab and religious symbols like turban, kada, tilak, bhasma, holy cross and kalava in educational institutions, Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Friday accused the BJP of misleading students.
Madhu Bangarappa made the remarks after inspecting the venue along with officials and political leaders where the Karnataka Public School (KPS) inauguration program is planned on June 1.
The minister launched a sharp political attack on the BJP, criticizing its role on various issues including the alleged “saffron shawl campaign” in schools. He said that such statements are politically motivated and the opposition is trying to mislead the students.
Referring to the NEET paper leak, he said that around 25 lakh students were affected by it and claimed that the death of five students has also come to light due to this issue.
He also raised questions on the accountability of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and criticized his response to the matter.
He said the BJP was ignoring serious issues affecting students and instead focusing on communal topics, which he termed irresponsible politics.
The minister said the government’s priority is to ensure quality education and safety of students from all communities.
He further said that Shivamogga city will host a big event for the launch of KPS on June 1, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The minister, who inspected the venue, said that preparations are being made on a large scale for the event. District in-charge minister, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and other officials also participated in the inspection.
He said that students from various schools would be brought to the venue through buses and students from private schools have also been requested to attend the programme.
He said 19 KPS schools were being started in Shivamogga district alone, which would cost around Rs 3.5 crore per school. He informed that all KPS schools will be started between June and July.
He also said that foundation stone laying ceremonies of around 1,000 schools would be organized under the initiative and claimed that the government has achieved 66 per cent examination results this year, compared to 62 per cent earlier. He said that there has been a lot of improvement in the department and many reforms have been implemented in government schools.
He said that now teachers are actively reaching out to students whereas earlier students had to seek out teachers. He claimed that there has been a major change in the education system and the government is committed to providing quality education across the state.
Madhu Bangarappa also said that seven public schools were being started in Shivamogga and the Karnataka model was on its way to becoming a standard at the national level. He said that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other ministers will attend the inauguration ceremony, after which there will be a luncheon interaction between the Chief Minister and the students. Around 900 students who have scored more than 600 marks will be honored by sitting on the stage.
He said that some development projects would also be inaugurated and foundation stones would be laid and all KPS schools would be completed by July.
On special education initiatives, he said the government is planning schools for children suffering from cancer as a humanitarian effort, in which medical counseling will also be included in the program framework.
He said that SIR and voter registration awareness have been discussed in the Cabinet and citizens have been appealed to register as voters and exercise their right to vote.
–IANS
PM
