Karnataka Signs ₹2,500 Crore Deal with ADB to Upgrade 500 Government Schools

The Karnataka government has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the comprehensive development of 500 government schools across the state as Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

The development programme entails a total investment of ₹2,500 crore, of which ₹1,750 crore will be provided by the ADB and ₹750 crore will be contributed by the State government. The project will be implemented over a four-year period, running up to the 2029-30 academic year.

The agreement was signed in Bengaluru in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa, alongside senior administrative officials from the Government of Karnataka and the ADB.

Under this programme, 500 schools possessing the potential to attract large student enrolments have been chosen based on specific parameters, including grade coverage, current enrolment, land availability, and existing infrastructure. Each selected school is planned to have the capacity to accommodate at least 1,200 students.

As part of the school-complex integration process, potential institutions have already been identified in clusters. Nearby sub-scale schools located within a 3 to 5 km radius have also been mapped for potential consolidation. Approximately 100 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have already been prepared for the initiative.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that the investment will cover civil works, infrastructure development, classroom furniture, laboratory equipment, and IT infrastructure, along with other essential facilities.

In addition to capital upgrades, recurring expenditure under the initiative will cover teacher salaries, non-teaching staff, student transport, general administration, utilities, maintenance, and other school-level operational needs over the duration of the programme.