Karnataka Govt Approves 15,000 Teacher Posts Amid Language Test Controversy
The Karnataka government has approved the recruitment of 15,000 teachers for government primary and high schools across the state. The decision aims to address staffing shortages in state-run educational institutions.
Out of the total posts, 6,967 have been reserved for the Kalyana Karnataka cadre, while 8,033 posts are for the non-Kalyana Karnataka cadre. The breakdown of posts includes 8,500 Graduate Primary Teachers (GPT), 4,500 Assistant Masters (AM), 900 Primary School Teachers (PST), 600 Physical Education Teachers (PET), and 500 Computer Science teachers. These positions are slated to be filled during the 2026–27 academic year.
However, the recruitment process has drawn criticism from the Kannada Development Authority (KDA). In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KDA Chairman Purushottama Bilimale objected to the mandatory English language proficiency test for candidates. He argued that the requirement undermines the Kannada language and contradicts the state's language policy.
“The decision to drop recruitment for Kannada teachers and make English language proficiency test compulsory for recruitment of teachers of various subjects is a blow to Kannada language and the state’s language policy,” Bilimale stated. He urged the government to include posts for Kannada teachers and withdraw the English proficiency requirement.
The government has not yet responded to the KDA's objections. The issue highlights ongoing tensions between promoting regional language and ensuring multilingual competency in education.
