Bengaluru: With the state govt banking on corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to improve schools, school education minister Madhu Bangarappa has invited representatives of private educational institutions for a meeting at Vidhana Soudha Wednesday to discuss collaborative efforts to improve infrastructure and quality of education.
The meeting, scheduled at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha from 11am, is part of govt’s initiative, Namma shaale – Namma javabdaari’ (Our school – Our responsibility), aimed at encouraging community participation in the development of govt schools.
The proposed meeting is expected to provide a platform for educational institutions to offer suggestions and extend support to improve facilities in govt schools, said a letter to the institutions. Those schools which are faring well, are commercialised, have franchises, pay GSTs and want to voluntarily take this up, can do so,” said D Sashi Kumar, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka. BN Yogananda, president, Karnataka Private School College Parent Association Coordination Committee, said: “Maintaining govt schools is govt’s primary responsibility.
Govt has been seeking CSR funds to improve infrastructure and academic facilities. However, private schools are not amused. “Many budget schools have been invited for the meeting, most of which are struggling to survive. How can govt think of burdening them further? Why are they transferring the obligation to private players? We are scared that when private schools are forced to take up additional responsibilities, they will hike fees further.”