Govt rural high schools upgraded to PU colleges

Mysuru: The state govt has upgraded high schools in Salundi (Mysuru taluk) and Kasuvinahalli (Nanjangud taluk) into pre-university (PU) colleges, improving access to higher education for rural students in the state.The department of pre-university education has begun admissions for I PU courses from this academic year. The move is expected to benefit students, especially girls, by enabling them to pursue higher education closer to home instead of travelling to distant towns.Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, had announced in the 2025–26 Budget the upgradation of 23 state-run high schools into PU colleges. Following this, the govt permitted the PU department to introduce courses in the commerce stream at the two upgraded institutions.Students can now enrol in commerce and study economics, business studies, accountancy, and either basic mathematics or computer science.The upgradation was based on recommendations from the PU department in areas where no govt PU college exists within a 15-km radius and where high schools have more than 40 SSLC students.With these additions, Mysuru district now has 274 PU colleges, up from 272, including govt, aided, and private institutions.The department has appointed in-charge principals and plans to depute lecturers from nearby govt PU colleges. Guest lecturers will also be hired on an outsourcing basis. Existing classrooms in the two schools will be used until separate buildings are constructed.Deputy director of pre-university education Nagamma said only commerce courses have been permitted for now. Admissions are open to all students who have cleared the SSLC exams this year. The department has also initiated distribution of free textbooks under the Vidya Vikasa scheme and ensured basic facilities like libraries and toilets, along with extracurricular activities.Former Mysuru ZP chief SC Basavaraju said this will significantly improve access to higher education for rural students, particularly girls.