Siddarth Sethia
“Education and Knowledge Are Very Important”.
Hubballi:Opening a Karnataka Public School (KPS) in every Gram Panchayat will be highly beneficial.At present, three to four schools are merged to form one KPS and When he was the Chief Minister,under the Viveka Yojana they constructed 10,000 school buildings. The state government still needs to build another 35,000 school buildings, said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking today after inaugurating the new Government High School at Chabbi village in Hubballi taluk of Dharwad district,he said the high school at Chabbi is an example of what can be achieved when elders and youngsters of a village unite with determination.
It has taken a long time for this high school to come up. Many times,with the passage of time,determination fades.
But the people of Chabbi never lost their willpower and worked hard to bring a much-needed high school to their village.
The MP said for any task to succeed, there is always one key person.For this high school, Ajit Hanumakkanavar is that person.Since he could not study in a high school in his own village,he worked relentlessly to establish one here.
When he had organized a village stay,the villagers strongly urged that a high school was needed here.From the time he was Home Minister, efforts were being made.
Later,when he became Chief Minister,Ajit came to him reminding of his earlier promise that now it is in his hands,please sanction a high school.’
At that time, Basavaraj Horatti was the Education Minister and he had given him permission for two high schools.Remembering that, he sanctioned 102 new high schools,and Chabbi was the first name on that list.
Stressing the importance of education and knowledge, Bommai said at one time,those who owned land ruled the world.
Later, those with wealth ruled the world. In the 21st century, it is those with knowledge who lead the world.
Earlier, foreign leaders would visit Delhi first. Today, they come to Bengaluru because of knowledge and innovation.
In America,a survey was conducted on who was greater—then US President Bill Clinton or Bill Gates.The people supported Bill Gates because of his knowledge.
The MP said the state government plans to open 1,000 KPS schools. If every Gram Panchayat has a KPS, it will be very useful.
Currently, three to four schools are merged into one KPS. When he was CM, he built 10,000 schools under the Viveka scheme.
Still, the state faces a shortage of 30–35,000 school buildings. If they build 10,000 every year, the work can be completed in three years.
Similarly, teachers must be recruited. In Tamil Nadu, when a teacher’s post falls vacant, the Education Department has the authority to appoint directly, without waiting for the Finance Department’s approval. Karnataka must adopt a similar system.
Speaking about the larger vision,Bommai said where there is education, there is progress.Where there is progress, there is peace. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought in a comprehensive National Education Policy (NEP), which provides opportunities for jobs and talent.
The state government has implemented the State Education Policy (SEP).There is not much difference between NEP and SEP, but the state government must implement an education policy quickly.
Students are in confusion.They must ensure easy access to education across Karnataka.At Chabbi,there was a land issue for the high school, but villagers united to resolve it. Where there is a problem, there is always a solution.”
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, MLA M. R. Patil, Asianet Suvarna News chief Ajit Hanumakkanavar, Kantara movie actress Kumari Saptami Gowda, Gram Panchayat President Ravi Hullambi, Vice President, all GP members, and other prominent personalities were present on the occasion.
