BENGALURU: Karnataka’s push to introduce English-medium sections in government schools has hit a snag due to a textbook shortage. As of September 5, 1,419 schools that adopted English-medium sections earlier this year still lack the necessary textbooks. This shortage persists despite the state’s recent decision to add English-medium sections to 373 more schools mid-year, as part of a broader plan to establish such sections in 2,000 schools.
The Karnataka Textbook Society (KTBS), responsible for supplying textbooks, is working to resolve the issue. They expect to have the required materials available by the end of September. Meanwhile, some experts have suggested using last year’s textbooks or downloading resources from the KTBS website as temporary solutions.
The initiative to include English-medium sections began in 2019 under former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Since then, 2,403 schools, including 285 Karnataka Public Schools, have adopted English-medium education. The state government’s 2024-25 budget announced an additional 2,000 English-medium sections in response to public demand.
The delay in textbook availability has put pressure on parents and educators. KTBS attributes the delay to the government’s mid-year decision, which disrupted the usual textbook procurement timeline. Prema HM, KTBS Managing Director, noted that books were ordered late due to the unplanned nature of the mid-year expansion.
Critics argue that the lack of planning and resources undermines the effectiveness of the program. Academicians stress the need for realistic timelines, thorough planning, and timely resource allocation to ensure the success of the English-medium sections. They warn that without these measures, the quality of education and the program’s reputation could suffer.
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