Karnataka schools to reopen Monday without Chief Minister or grand state launch

Schools across Karnataka are set to reopen on Monday without a state-level launch event or the presence of the Chief Minister. The academic year will instead begin with simple, local-level events organized by individual schools, marking a departure from previously planned grand celebrations.

The decision means there will be no grand inauguration, statewide address to students and parents, or centrally coordinated event. Initially, the Chief Minister was scheduled to address a statewide mega parent-teacher meeting via video conference and formally launch the Karnataka Public School scheme by laying a foundation stone in Shivamogga.

Instead of the centralized launch, events will be led by local education department officials, district commissioners, or community representatives depending on their availability. Ahead of the reopening, schools have been conducting cleaning and last-minute repair works.

Alongside the preparations, the Department of School Education and Literacy reported that uniform and book distribution is currently on track. According to Suralkar Vikas Kishor, the commissioner of the department, the first set of uniforms has reached over 90 percent of schools, with the remainder dispatched from factories for delivery by the first week of June.

Regarding textbooks, Kishor stated that 80 percent of the titles have been fully delivered. The first part of the remaining books is expected to be delivered by June 5. During the initial days, schools will conduct a bridge programme called Setubandha, which does not require textbooks.

Meanwhile, private schools are preparing welcoming activities such as play, dance, songs, flowers, and sweets for early learners. However, D Sashi Kumar, secretary of the Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka, noted a drastic fall in nursery admissions in private schools due to falling birth rates and a rise in playschools. Government schools are continuing enrolment drives to boost admissions.