Bengaluru (Karnataka): The Karnataka government has announced that all government and aided schools across the state will remain closed till October 18, allowing teachers to complete the state-wide house-to-house survey that began on September 2. The survey, which assesses the educational, economic, and social conditions of residents, was originally scheduled to conclude earlier this week but has been extended due to delays in some districts.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who held a video conference with officials to review the survey’s progress, said the extension was granted after requests from Legislative Council member Puttanna and the Teachers’ Association.

Survey extended due to uneven progress across districts

The survey’s progress varies widely between districts, the Chief Minister noted. “While Koppal district has achieved 97 percent completion, Dakshina Kannada stands at only 67 percent. There are such differences across the state, which is why the Education Department and the Backward Classes Commission decided to extend the deadline,” he said.

A total of 1.6 lakh personnel are participating in the massive data-gathering exercise, including 1.2 lakh schoolteachers. The survey aims to collect comprehensive data on households to aid in formulating inclusive educational and social welfare policies.

PUC lecturers exempted from survey work

Since the second PU midterm examinations are scheduled from October 12, PUC lecturers have been exempted from participating in the survey to ensure that examinations are conducted smoothly.

“The survey work is being carried out by schoolteachers, and the PU lecturers will continue their academic duties,” Siddaramaiah clarified.

In Bengaluru city, around 6,700 teachers have been assigned to cover approximately 46 lakh households. Each teacher has been tasked with surveying 10–15 houses per day, with instructions to complete the process by Naraka Chaturdashi.

Special teaching sessions to make up for lost time

Acknowledging concerns about the loss of classroom hours, the Chief Minister said that teachers will be asked to conduct special teaching sessions once schools reopen to complete the syllabus on time.

“Eight working days have been declared as holidays for government and aided schools. Once the survey concludes, teachers will hold compensatory classes to ensure that students are not academically disadvantaged,” he said.

Compensation for deceased teachers

The Chief Minister also expressed grief over the deaths of three teachers who lost their lives while on survey duty. “Each of their families will receive ₹20 lakh compensation,” he announced.

He further warned that disciplinary action would be taken against teachers or staff who refuse or hesitate to participate in the survey. “This is an important government programme aimed at understanding the true status of households in Karnataka. All those assigned must cooperate fully,” he said.

Delays in GBA area due to other administrative duties

The survey started late in some regions, particularly in areas under the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA), due to overlapping responsibilities related to the Election Commission and other official training sessions. As a result, the completion rate there remains lower compared to other districts.

Officials have been instructed to intensify field efforts in such areas to ensure completion by October 19, the revised deadline.

Survey’s purpose and significance

The house-to-house survey is a joint initiative by the Department of Education and the Backward Classes Commission, aimed at collecting updated data on citizens’ educational levels, economic status, social background, and access to welfare schemes.

Officials believe that this data will form the foundation for better policy planning, especially for backward and marginalised communities. “Once completed, the survey will offer a clear picture of living conditions across the state, which will guide future development programmes,” a senior education department official said.

Government aims for timely completion

The Chief Minister urged all officials to ensure that the survey is completed in full by the new deadline. “We have provided additional time at the request of teachers’ representatives. Now, it is the responsibility of all involved to complete the work diligently and on schedule,” he said.

With a renewed focus on timely data collection and teacher welfare, the government hopes to complete the survey by October 19, paving the way for improved public policy decisions in the months ahead.