‘Kannada Cannot Survive on Promises’: Teachers demand immediate government grant for unaided Kannada schools

Teachers from unaided private Kannada-medium schools have warned of a statewide agitation if the upcoming budget fails to announce financial grants, citing decades of neglect and hardship faced by poor students and educators.

As concerns grow over the declining use of Kannada in daily life and education, teachers from unaided private Kannada-medium schools have launched a renewed demand for government grants, warning of large-scale protests if their long-pending requests are ignored in the upcoming state budget.

Representatives of unaided Kannada schools recently met Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa in Bengaluru, seeking immediate financial assistance for their institutions. The teachers stated that their demand is not new, but has remained unresolved for nearly three decades.

According to the teachers’ union, unaided private Kannada schools have not received any government grants since 1995. Despite repeated assurances by successive governments, no concrete financial assistance has been provided so far. As a result, these schools continue to function only through private partnerships and community support.

Teachers pointed out that due to the absence of government funding, children from economically weaker backgrounds are being deprived of essential facilities. Unlike students in government schools, children studying in unaided Kannada schools do not receive benefits such as free mid-day meals, uniforms, textbooks, and other welfare schemes.

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This disparity, they said, is directly affecting student attendance, learning outcomes, and overall educational development.

Across Karnataka, there are only around 300 to 350 unaided private Kannada-medium schools. Teachers stressed that their demand is limited and practical, seeking government support mainly for teachers’ salaries, which they believe is essential for sustaining Kannada education.

They argued that in a state budget running into lakhs of crores, allocating ₹200 crore annually for these schools is neither excessive nor unrealistic. According to them, this modest investment would significantly strengthen Kannada education and preserve the language.

The teachers have clearly warned that if the forthcoming state budget fails to announce grants for unaided Kannada schools, they will launch a large-scale statewide agitation. They said decades of waiting without action have left them with no option but to intensify their protest.

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While governments often speak about preserving and promoting Kannada, the teachers said these commitments must translate into real policy decisions. Without financial support, they cautioned, the future of Kannada-medium education is at serious risk.

With the budget approaching, all eyes are now on the education department and the state government’s next move, which could decide the fate of hundreds of schools and thousands of students across Karnataka.