In a landmark announcement during the 70th Kannada Rajyotsava celebration, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that 900 Kannada and Urdu medium schools across the state will be upgraded into Karnataka Public Schools (KPS). This ambitious project, with a total outlay of Rs 2,500 crore, aims to strengthen mother tongue-based education and bring quality infrastructure to government schools. The initiative underscores Karnataka’s commitment to preserving linguistic heritage while aligning education with global technological standards.
Focus on Mother Tongue Education
Addressing the gathering, CM Siddaramaiah called upon the Central Government to enact a law ensuring that education is imparted in students’ mother tongues. He emphasized that neglecting regional languages like Kannada has weakened children’s learning and cognitive development. “Children in advanced countries learn in their mother tongues. But in India, English and Hindi have weakened our local languages. It is time the Central Government ensures education in the mother tongue,” he stated.
Promoting Kannada and Urdu Education
Under the new KPS model, around 800 Kannada medium and 100 Urdu medium schools will be upgraded with modern classrooms, digital learning tools, and skill-based education facilities. The Urdu schools, receiving Rs 483 crore under this scheme, will benefit from improved infrastructure and bilingual learning programs. The introduction of Kannada teaching in madrasas, currently implemented in 180 institutions, will gradually expand to 1,500 madrasas across Karnataka, further promoting linguistic inclusivity.
Kannada for the Digital Era
Siddaramaiah highlighted the government’s mission to make Kannada a language of modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The state aims to prepare Kannada-speaking students for the digital economy, ensuring they are not left behind due to linguistic barriers. “The government is determined to make Kannada a language of modern technology. I urge scholars and experts to help us in this effort,” said the CM, encouraging tech professionals and academics to contribute to Kannada’s digital evolution.
Preserving Language, Culture, and Heritage
The Karnataka government is drafting a new policy to promote Kannada language, culture, and heritage globally. The policy will integrate Kannada studies with modern skill education, digital resources, and global collaboration platforms. Siddaramaiah reminded citizens of the rich legacy of Kannada, a classical language with over 2,000 years of history, and its contribution to Indian literature and philosophy.
Tribute to the Karnataka Unification Movement
Remembering the visionaries who fought for a unified Karnataka, Siddaramaiah paid homage to Aluru Venkata Rao, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, and other martyrs of the Karnataka Ekikarana movement (1956). He reiterated that the state’s progress should reflect their ideals of linguistic pride and social harmony.
Government’s Broader Vision
The Karnataka Public Schools initiative is a part of the government’s broader education transformation plan, ensuring equitable access to quality education while preserving linguistic diversity. By combining Kannada, Urdu, and technology-driven learning, the project aims to create a sustainable model that bridges the gap between traditional and modern education systems.
The Karnataka Public Schools initiative reflects the government’s commitment to revitalizing mother tongue education while integrating technology and modern learning infrastructure. With an investment of Rs 2,500 crore, this initiative is set to transform Kannada and Urdu medium education across the state. For further details, visit the official Karnataka Education Department website and bookmark this page for continuous updates on implementation and school development milestones.
