Private school administrators across Karnataka should step forward to adopt government schools to help elevate rural education standards to match those of premier institutions in Bengaluru, stated Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during an interaction with reporters in Chitradurga. Reflecting on past discussions with private school management boards, he highlighted that large private institutions are often run by industrialists who possess the resources to drive real change. He urged these management bodies to utilize Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to strengthen infrastructure and learning outcomes, noting that despite the government employing over 50,000 teachers, delivering uniform, high-quality education across all regions remains a persistent challenge.
Addressing broader political and national concerns, Chief Minister Shivakumar commented on the NEET question paper leak controversy, asserting that the Union Government has finally woken up to the severity of the situation. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases filed against protesting students, called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right enshrined in the Constitution. He also touched upon state political developments, noting that Cabinet expansion discussions would take place in the coming week, while responding to the controversy surrounding the KPSC Chairman by stating that the Governor had written to him regarding the matter and necessary permissions were granted.
Concluding his district visit, Shivakumar reassured local communities regarding developmental concerns, specifically confirming that the farmers of Bidadi would not be abandoned. He explained that regional progress review meetings are now being decentralized beyond Bengaluru and Ramanagara to ensure equal focus on all divisions. During the trip, Chief Minister Shivakumar—accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Minister Eshwar Khandre, MLA Raghumurthy, MLC Srinivas, and the Chitradurga Deputy Commissioner—visited drought-affected farmland in Yeraballi village, Hiriyur taluk, to directly assess agricultural losses and listen to the grievances of local farmers.
