Karnataka: Foundation stone laying for KPS, mega PTM on school opening day canceled due to political climate

There are more than 46,000 government and aided schools across the state. | Photo credit: File photo

Schools across Karnataka will reopen from Monday (June 1) and after the Cabinet was dissolved following the resignation of the Chief Minister, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) canceled the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Karnataka State School (KPS), which outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was supposed to preside over on the same day in Shiva.

The earlier planned parent-teacher mega meet (PTM) with the chief minister, which involved live interaction with students and parents through video conferencing in all schools across the state, has also been cancelled.

Instead, school openings will be held as usual across the state. Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary, DSEL, and Vikas Kishor Suralkar, Commissioner of Public Instruction, will attend the reopening ceremony of the school to be held in Bengaluru.

“The school inauguration for the academic year 2026-27 in government and aided schools in the state will be held on June 1. The schools will be cleaned and garlanded. Preparations have been made to organize mid-day meals with sweets like a feast,” Mr. Suralkar said.

“The foundation stone laying ceremony for KPS and mega PTM at Shivamogga has been put on hold for the time being. The relevant decision will be taken after the formation of the new government,” the commissioner said.

95% of textbooks delivered

There are more than 46,000 government and aided schools across the state and the government distributes textbooks, two sets of uniforms and shoes and socks to all students from LKG to class 10 for free.

The distribution of textbooks to schools is underway, and the department has already delivered textbooks to approximately 95% of schools.

“Free textbooks provided to government and aided school students will include Part 1 and Part 2. More than 95% of schools have already received Part 1 books. Part 2 textbooks will be delivered to all schools by the end of June. Additionally, Sethubandha, a bridging course program for which no textbooks are required, will be held in the first month,” explained Mr. Suralkar.

He added that the first set of uniforms has already reached about 90% of schools. “The remaining schools will be covered by June 1,” he said.

Wait for the shoes

However, students have to wait at least a month and a half for shoes and socks. This year, for the first time, the Ministry announced a centralized tender for the supply of shoes and socks. According to available information, the applicants have not yet received the contract. Officials are confident the shoes and socks will reach schools by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the government has also approved the recruitment of 51,000 guest teachers for the academic year 2026-27, including 40,000 for primary schools and 11,000 for secondary schools.

Most of the private schools in the state are conducting classes from May 25.

Published – 30 May 2026 19:59 IST