Declining enrolment in Belagavi division govt schools raises concern

Hubballi: Student enrolment in the Belagavi division, which comprises nine educational districts of Kittur Karnataka, declined significantly, with 12,67,241 students enrolled in 2025-26 compared with 13,75,209 in 2024-25. The Belagavi division experienced a 7.8% decrease in enrolment, representing a loss of 1 lakh students in a single academic year.Despite free education and many schemes for children, enrolment decreased year by year. English medium education, parents' preference and the establishment of a large number of private schools were the main reasons for the declining enrolment. However, the enrolment drive, which was supposed to be conducted before the start of the academic year, was not possible due to the teachers being scheduled for census work.According to the source in the department, the enrolment in the year 2025-25 in Karwar district was 43,334, the lowest in the division. Sirsi, an educational district, recorded 65,387 enrolment. Gadag recorded 92,031, Dharwad recorded 1,24,336, Haveri recorded 1,36,189, Bagalkot recorded 1,76,806, Belagavi recorded 1,77,939, Vijayapura recorded 2,23,452, and Chikodi educational district recorded 2,27,727.Ishwar Ullagaddi, additional commissioner of school education and literacy (Belagavi division), told TOI that the department was directed to begin enrolment awareness to increase the children to admit to govt schools. He said teachers were on census duty and some teachers were involved in creating awareness and receiving the children's information among parents.Ullagaddi said that the department has chalked out many programmes, including installation of banners in the villages, organising meetings, results -based advertisement and publishing toppers' photos. "The govt has targeted to increase 15% enrolment for the coming academic year. We have set to fulfil the gap this time. Now the private model education is being provided. A few months back the department organised Parent-teacher Meeting PTM, which was a big success in all districts of the division. Therefore, the enrolment will definitely increase,," he expressed.Umesh Bommakkanavar, In-charge DDPI, Dharwad, said that as per the order, the enrolment awareness started. "The teachers who are on census duty have been instructed to interact with parents. We have told to installation of banner in the streets after successful result of SSLC. Enrolment will be increased," he assured.Manjunath Dulikoppa, SDMC president, said that the enrolment drive for the academic year has not begun as the teachers are involved in census duty. He said the awareness drives will increase the enrolment and that the Govt will start bilingual language education from this year. He said private schools have already begun enrolment and awareness, and demanded that govt schools should soon begin drives and bring children to schools. "Govt schemes in education would be lauded," he demanded.
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