EXCLUSIVE: Karnataka education crisis-501 schools running without approval, parents in shock

In a startling revelation, the Karnataka education department has identified 501 unauthorized schools operating across the state. This exclusive information comes just as the 2025-26 academic year begins, raising serious concerns among parents about the legitimacy of the schools where their children are enrolled. Many parents have already unknowingly admitted their children to these unrecognized institutions.

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The education department was expected to alert parents about unauthorized schools months before the school year started. However, the list was released only after the admission process was over in many schools, leaving parents anxious and confused.

In some districts, nearly 50% of the admissions have been made to these unauthorized schools. Shockingly, the education department has only released the number of unauthorized schools per district without sharing the actual names, adding to the frustration of parents.

Here is the district-wise count of unauthorized schools:

• Bengaluru North: 51
• Bagalkote: 38
• Bellary: 35
• Bengaluru South: 34
• Belagavi: 35
• Davangere: 35
• Dharwad: 23
• Haveri: 18
• Kalaburagi: 22
• Mandya: 17
• Raichur: 23
• Ramanagara: 13
• Shivamogga: 29
• Tumakuru: 11
• Tumakuru Madhugiri: 29
• Vijayapura: 11
• Bellary (again): 13
• Bengaluru Rural: 16
• Bidar: 27
• Other districts: 2-3 schools each

In total, 501 unauthorized schools have been identified across 31 districts. Last year, over a thousand such schools were reported, but the education department has failed to take strong action to regulate these institutions. Parents are demanding immediate disclosure of the names of these schools and strict government intervention.