Bengaluru: “The first priority must be given to provide the basic infrastructure to the children,” said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking after opening the Science Fair – 2023 here on Friday January 27, he said that the Government spends Crores of Rupees on residential educational institutions. “Money is spent on building, compound walls and other things. As told in the State Cabinet and functions, special attention must be given to providing basic facilities to kids. First, you make the changes to be done and then focus on other things,” he emphasised.
Bommai said despite spending Rs. 30 Crore on each school the facilities that should have been made for children are not happening. “This is the gift of the previous Governments due to the contract system. When Govind Karajol was the Social Welfare Minister, special funds were given towards providing a desk, sleeping place and books, and a lot of things have improved in the last three years,” he noted.
“It is happy to note that the Residential Schools Association organised the Science Fair. The purpose of starting the residential schools is to provide higher education, and quality education to SC/ST and Backward Classes children. Over 1000 schools are participating in this Science Fair. Upon the evaluation of these schools, it was found that the students of these schools have improved a lot and scored more marks than others in the competitive exams. They have come out of an inferiority complex and gained self-confidence. These institutions need to be strengthened further, and the children must be given quality education for them to develop their personalities. The Government is formulating special programs in this regard,” he said.
The CM said 1,000 schools is a big arrangement and parents have sent their kids to schools. There is a responsibility on them to take care of these children and provide quality education to ensure them a bright future. This will help in bringing changes to society. The Government is ready to release the grants if the schools give a list of shortages. Officials must visit all the schools and steps must be taken to start the PU courses from those schools that have completed ten years and have all the infrastructure facilities,” he said.
Stressing the need to start the competitive exams in schools, Bommai said equality has been ensured among the kids. “The shortfall in schools must be addressed and take all steps to prepare the children to face the competitive exams. The students have come here by scoring good marks and they must go back from here with over 90 per cent marks. Minister Kota Srinivasa Poojary has done good work and teaching karate to three lakh girl students is a big achievement. The Minister has taken steps to remove untouchability in the society,” he applauded.
He said holding the Science Fair is a good experiment to allow the kids to show their scientific temperament. Earlier, learning Science was very difficult and now things have changed. Introducing Science to deprived children will bring changes in society. This kind of Science Fair must be held in other places,” he said.
