Surge in request to start bilingual schools, KGs in DK

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada (DK) is experiencing a surge in demand to start bilingual (Kannada-English) schools this academic year. Additionally, there is an official request for the commencement of LKG/UKG in govt school campuses, which are overseen by the SDMC.
Govinda Madivala, DDPI, DK, said that they forwarded all the requests to the govt and are awaiting a response. He explained that the increased demand can be attributed to the success of bilingual schools in attracting good admissions due to their medium of instruction. Many schools received positive feedback from parents, and received a good response for admissions, prompting them to request govt permission to establish such schools.
As per Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK), there are currently 122 bilingual schools in the district. "Though there are several applications received, govt grants permission to only a few," said an official from SSK.
There is also a growing demand for permission to establish high schools on higher primary school campuses. Madivala clarified that starting a high school involves several rules, including a minimum of five acres of campus, a radius exclusion zone of 5km, and a sufficient student population. Considering these rules, particularly the 5km radius exclusion zone, DK cannot grant permission to any high school. However, this rule does not apply to starting unaided high schools. He also mentioned that one govt school near Surathkal already constructed facilities for high school before applying for permission. "We are exploring ways to allow permission to the school," he said.
Apart from bilingual and high schools, there is a growing demand to establish kindergarten (LKG/UKG) classes in primary school premises. Madivala explained that currently, Karnataka Public Schools are officially permitted to start kindergarten on their campuses, which are funded by the govt. While other govt schools can also start kindergarten, it should only be done when there are no anganwadis nearby. He emphasised that although there is no official permission required to start LKG/UKG in govt school premises when funded by the SDMC and local authorities, it must only be done when there are no anganwadi centres. He also highlighted the challenges in places where both the school campus and anganwadi facilities exist.