Karnataka to adopt national schooling model: Kageri

The Department of Primary and Secondary Education has decided drop pre-university course (PUC) status attached to Class XI and XII and said that secondary education would begin from Class IX instead of VIII.

The new schooling pattern is being introduced to bring the state education model on line with the national pattern, said Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday the minister said that as per the new schooling pattern, Classes up to fifth standard would be considered primary, higher primary would be from Class VI to VIII, secondary would be IX and X and higher secondary would be Class XI and XII.

As per the earlier structure practiced in the state primary was for five years, higher primary two years, secondary three year and classes XI and XII was considered as PUC.

The changes were made as per the recommendations made by Prof Govinda Committee that was constituted by the state government to suggest adoption of the national schooling model in Karnataka.

“Ever since the enforcement of the Right to Education Act the Union government was insisting that the Karnataka government follow the national model of schooling,” the minister said.

Kageri said that the committee report on the structure of schooling has been put on website by the state government inviting objections if any, from the public.

“After compiling the objections and suggestions received from the public on the issue the state government would switch over to the new schooling structure” he said.

The general public can register their comments on www.ssakarnataka.gov.in till August 31.

Appointment of headmasters approved

In his reply the minister also informed that all the hurdles to appoint new headmasters to the high schools has been cleared after agreeing to adopt a 75:25 formula in which 75 per cent of the total posts would be reserved for giving promotion to the existing teachers.

As many as 1,441 high school teachers would be upgraded as the headmasters followed by 629 new recruits in the State-run high schools.

“The process of issuing call letters are on,” the minister said.  The minister also informed that the main function of the annual Teachers Day would be held at Belgaum on September 5, where over 50 best teachers would be felicitated.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, other dignitaries and all the teachers from the district would take part in the function.