Udupi: Udupi district has been sanctioned 12 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) under the Karnataka government’s school development initiative, giving a major boost to government education infrastructure. The new schools will be developed with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and will feature a uniform design equipped with modern educational facilities.
The expansion aims to provide quality education to students from rural and urban areas, particularly those belonging to economically weaker and middle-income families, while enabling uninterrupted schooling from LKG to Class 12 on a single campus.
Twelve government schools upgraded to KPS
As part of the latest phase of the initiative, government schools at Bajagoli, Bailur, Hebri, Udyavara, Rajeevnagar, Olakadu, Board High School, Manuru, Basuru, Amavasya Bailu, Siddapura and Uppunda have been upgraded into Karnataka Public Schools.
The KPS model integrates pre-primary, primary, high school and pre-university education within one institution, eliminating the need for students to shift to different schools after completing primary education.
Officials said the integrated system offers greater convenience to students and parents while ensuring continuity in learning.
Modern infrastructure planned with ADB support
The newly sanctioned schools will be constructed based on a common design model developed under the project.
The campuses will include:
- Well-equipped classrooms
- Modern science laboratories
- Computer laboratories
- Libraries
- Playgrounds
- Improved academic and support infrastructure
To facilitate the project, officials from the Asian Development Bank have already conducted field surveys across Udupi district and prepared a detailed project report.
The ADB-backed infrastructure development is expected to significantly improve learning facilities in government schools and bring them closer to the standards available in many private institutions.
Nine KPS schools already functioning
At present, nine Karnataka Public Schools are operational in Udupi district, providing education from LKG to second-year PUC.
Together, these schools have a total enrolment of 7,927 students, comprising 4,012 boys and 3,915 girls during the 2026–27 academic year.
Officials said the increasing enrolment reflects growing public confidence in the Karnataka Public School model despite the continued popularity of English-medium and private schools.
Student enrolment continues to grow
Among the existing KPS institutions, Brahmavar HRS Karnataka Public School has recorded the highest enrolment with 1,498 students, followed by Hiriyadka School with 1,028 students.
Other schools have reported the following student strength:
- Muniyalu – 1,117 students
- Biskalkatte – 1,184 students
- Koteshwara – 964 students
- Kokkarnne – 788 students
- Hosmaru – 510 students
- Padubidri – 487 students
- Vantse – 351 students
The enrolment figures indicate sustained interest among parents in government-run integrated schools offering education under one roof.
Admissions across all classes
During the current academic year, Karnataka Public Schools in Udupi recorded admissions of:
- LKG – 336 students
- UKG – 319 students
- Class 1 – 315 students
- Class 2 – 369 students
- Class 3 – 436 students
- Class 4 – 478 students
- Class 5 – 526 students
- Class 6 – 628 students
- Class 7 – 628 students
- Class 8 – 824 students
- Class 9 – 793 students
- Class 10 – 992 students
At the pre-university level, 828 students are enrolled in first-year PUC, while 848 students are pursuing second-year PUC across the district’s KPS institutions.
Expansion expected to strengthen government education
Officials believe the addition of 12 new Karnataka Public Schools will significantly strengthen government education infrastructure in Udupi district.
With financial support from the Asian Development Bank and the introduction of modern facilities, the project is expected to provide students with better learning environments, improved academic opportunities and access to quality education closer to their homes.