As the government schools across Karnataka reopened on Wednesday after two-month summer holiday, the row over syllabus revision has left the parents, students and teachers in a state of confusion.
The student community, teaching fraternity and parents are not sure which part of syllabus is going to be removed and which included. The Congress government has stated that the parts which "poison the minds of students would be dropped" and on the other hand, BJP has warned that it "won't sit quiet if urban naxals take control of things". These statements have complicated things further.
However, on the first day of reopening of schools, the children were given books and uniforms.
Amid the row, Minister for Education Madhu Bangarappa personally visited primary schools in Bengaluru Rural district and distributed books on Wednesday. He also welcomed the students.
Including the government and private, there are 62,229 schools in the state. Among them, 25,278 are primary, 36,951 are high schools and 15,867 are middle schools. The preparations have also been made for mid-day meals at the government and aided schools.
Sources said that the Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT) has given directions to the schools to start the Setu Bandha programme for 10 days for Class 1-3 students and 15-day programme for Class 4-10.
Under the Setu Bandha project, the students would be taught lessons from the previous classes as well as the next class to cover the lost learning sessions due to non-conducting of physical classes. The programme is also aimed at bringing down the gaps of learning among students.
After Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that he "will not allow texts and lessons that poison children's minds", Madhu Bangarappa said that the textbook revision exercise would be taken up in a phased manner.
The Congress party has assured textbook revision in its manifesto. "The revision exercise would be taken up in a phased manner. Whichever lesson threatens to poison the minds of children would be changed," said Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.
8 jawans, driver killed as Maoists blow up security vehicle in Chhattisgarh
In the most gruesome Maoist attack in the New Year, eight jawans and a driver have been killed after the rebels blew up a security vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police sources said on Monday.
GRP arrested 35 human traffickers in Tripura in 5 months
The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested 35 human traffickers in the last five months in Tripura for facilitating illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas into India, officials said on Monday.
23 injured in two separate road accidents in Tripura
At least 10 students and a woman suffered breathing problems and six of them immediately shifted to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital and their condition stated to be not serious.
India well prepared to handle HMPV, surveillance shows no unusual surge: Centre
India is well-prepared to handle respiratory illnesses and surveillance shows no unusual surge in the country, according to the government, as reports surface about rising cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China in the past few weeks.
PM Modi guarantees continuation of free welfare schemes in Delhi
No existing public welfare scheme in Delhi will be withdrawn after BJP comes to power in Delhi, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, virtually guaranteeing the continuation of free water, power and bus travel for women offered by the current AAP government.
Big milestone: Indian metro network now third-largest in the world
India has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 1,000 kilometres in its metro network, solidifying its position as the world's third-largest metro system.
‘Jagriti’ awareness drive to aware students about road safety and consumer rights
To make the students aware about road safety and consumer rights, the government is set to launch ‘Jagriti’ – an awareness programme from January 11 next, said minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Saturday.
Ex-CM accuses BJP of divisive politics to mask hide core issues
Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday criticized the ruling BJP, accusing it of fostering divisions among Hindus, Muslims, Tribals, and Non-Tribals to divert attention from pressing issues such as rising prices, unemployment, and economic hardships.