Campaign Roll-out & Ministerial Direction
Karnataka’s Education Department, under the guidance of Minister Madhu Bangarappa, has launched a statewide campaign named “Shalege Ba” (“Come to School”) aimed at increasing student attendance in government schools. The initiative, part of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s education strategy, emphasises door-to-door outreach to inform parents about the advantages of government schooling, including free uniforms, textbooks, meals, and extended admission deadlines until July 30. Special focus is placed on low-attendance areas like Gokak and Raibag taluks, with officials instructed to conduct surprise school inspections.
💻 Modern Tools & Local Engagement
Complementing the campaign, an ambitious plan to digitise attendance through AI-powered mechanisms like facial recognition and mobile apps was initially proposed. These technologies aimed to integrate real-time attendance into Karnataka’s Student Achievement Tracking System. However, concerns over privacy and implementation led to the shelving of the facial-recognition approach. Instead, the state is reinforcing traditional engagement methods—empowering teachers to conduct local outreach, as well as engaging community leaders and brand ambassadors to build trust and encourage enrollment.
🛠️ Infrastructure, Accountability & Outcomes
To sustain higher attendance and enrollment, the government has rolled out a comprehensive seven-point plan. This includes opening admissions earlier, repairing school facilities before term starts, deploying guest teachers, and integrating moral science into curricula. In leadership districts like Belagavi, campaigns such as “Namma Shale, Namma Jawabdari” are actively re-enrolling dropouts through incentives like sweets, free uniforms, and community involvement. Officials are also tackling out-of-school children; for instance, a recent survey in Dharwad identified around 150 unenrolled children, prompting targeted home visits and age-appropriate admissions.
