Hubballi
While over 7,000 government primary schools in Karnataka have fewer than 10 students and are at risk of closure, as many as 17,356 schools were also in danger of losing their land as of January. The state has 43,564 government primary schools in total. In response, the Department of School Education (DSE) has launched a three-month drive to officially register land under the names of government schools.
Prof Purushottam Bilimale, chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, said he was alerted to the issue during visits to Bidar and Yadgir six months ago. “We were shocked to learn about a school in Devanahalli that was demolished overnight. We took up the matter in district review meetings, and deputy commissioners were asked to prioritise it. It’s a welcome move that DSE has now launched a formal drive,” he said.
KV Trilok Chandra, DSE commissioner, said that over 20,000 schools had poor land records last year. “The number reduced to 17,356 six months ago, and now it stands at about 13,000. We aim to register the remaining 7,000 schools within three months,” he said.
He added that many schools were built on donated plots without proper registration, increasing the risk of legal disputes. DDPIs and BEOs have been directed to ensure all schools have valid