From the coming academic year, the Karnataka government will extend the midday meal scheme to students from LKG to Class 12 studying in government schools and colleges.
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the scheme has already benefited poor students and its expansion will involve an additional expenditure of Rs 200 crore. This, he said, should not be seen as a burden on the government but as an investment in the future of children.
The minister said Karnataka Public Schools proposed to be launched across the state will have dedicated music and physical education teachers, along with full facilities including libraries. A decision will be taken on appointing librarians either on a local contract basis or through government recruitment. School bands will be made mandatory in government schools. On the Supreme Court making TET mandatory for in-service teachers, he said it would cause hardship and the state has decided to file an appeal, with a government order already issued in this regard.
