India

Karnataka CM and Daughter Criticised for Comments on Government School Teachers

By Swati Gandhi

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his daughter, educationist Aishwarya DKS Hegde, have faced criticism after Hegde made remarks about the quality of teachers at government schools. During a government‑organised CSR event, Hegde said, “More than teacher shortage, low efficiency is the problem,” referring to the Karnataka Public School in Doddalahalli, which receives support from the National Education Foundation where she is trustee‑secretary. She added, “Despite paying a salary of ₹1.1 lakh, teachers weren’t coming to school five days a week. We didn’t have the right to check. If we’re spending so much money, we should be able to check if people are coming (to work) regularly. Without accountability, why should we spend our money?” After her comments, CM Shivakumar expressed disappointment over teachers being paid salaries of ₹1.5 lakh, but clarified that he was not referring to all government school teachers.

The remarks drew criticism from stakeholders across the education sector. Members of the Save Public Education Committee accused the government of shifting blame onto teachers for the poor state of the public education system, saying, “They are effectively trying to shift the blame on teachers while sidestepping the role of the government’s policies in bringing affairs to this state.” JD(S) MLC A P Ranganath, representing the Bangalore Teachers’ Constituency, also criticised the comments, stating, “These remarks amount to insulting teachers. Before being appointed to government schools, teachers clear all the required tests conducted by the government to qualify for the job. The father‑daughter duo needs to understand this.”

The committee also warned that the state government might decide to close all state‑run schools and criticised a proposal to allow the adoption of government schools, calling it an “anti‑people” move. It alleged that the government was attempting to evade its responsibilities instead of addressing shortcomings in the public education system, noting that the proposal would let private schools attach their names to state‑run institutions they adopt.

The proposal has drawn criticism from academics, student organisations and teachers. The All‑India Democratic Students’ Organisation called on the government to withdraw the policy, and the RTE Students Parents Association reminded the government that education is a fundamental right, adding, “State‑run schools are the responsibility of the government concerned.”