Karnataka, ADB sign ₹1,750 crore pact to develop 500 government schools
Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to comprehensively develop 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools (KPS). The project, with a total outlay of ₹2,500 crore, will see ADB contribute ₹1,750 crore and the State government provide the remaining ₹750 crore over the next four years, up to 2029-30.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa, and senior officials from the Karnataka government and ADB. The programme aims to strengthen public education infrastructure and improve learning outcomes by upgrading selected schools into model institutions.
According to officials, the 500 schools were chosen based on parameters such as grade coverage, enrolment figures, land availability, and existing infrastructure. Each selected school is expected to have the capacity to accommodate at least 1,200 students. This is part of a broader school-complex integration strategy, where smaller nearby schools within a 3-5 km radius are mapped for potential consolidation. Around 100 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have already been prepared to facilitate this process.
Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the investment will be used for civil works, infrastructure development, classroom furniture, laboratory equipment, IT infrastructure, and other facilities. Recurring expenses, he added, will cover teacher salaries, non-teaching staff, transport, administration, utilities, maintenance, and other operational requirements of the schools.
The move is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the public education system in Karnataka. By upgrading schools with modern infrastructure and better facilities, the government aims to attract more students to government-run institutions and reduce dropout rates. The school-complex model is also expected to optimise resource use by merging smaller, low-enrolment schools with larger, well-equipped ones.
ADB has been a long-standing partner in India's infrastructure and social development sectors. The financing under this programme is part of ADB's broader support for education in the country, focusing on improving access, equity, and quality. The agreement reflects the commitment of both the State and the multilateral funding agency to invest in human capital development.
The implementation of the programme will be monitored through a structured framework, with periodic reviews and audits to ensure transparency and accountability. Officials said the project will be executed in phases, with the first batch of schools expected to be taken up for development soon after the signing of the agreement.
This initiative is particularly relevant in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the need for strengthening public schooling and promoting school clusters. Karnataka's approach aligns with these guidelines, aiming to create well-resourced schools that can offer quality education to all children, irrespective of their economic background.
The State government has pledged to provide the required administrative and technical support to ensure the timely completion of the project. Local communities and school management committees are also expected to be involved in the process, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.
With the assistance from ADB, Karnataka is set to transform the educational landscape in the state, providing thousands of students with access to better classrooms, laboratories, and digital infrastructure. The programme is a testament to the power of collaborative funding and planning in addressing the challenges faced by public education systems.
