Karnataka Govt Initiates Education Policy Commission

Bengaluru:In a landmark decision, the Karnataka State Government has officially sanctioned the formation of a State Education Policy Commission aimed at a comprehensive review and reform of the state's education system. The primary objective is to ensure a higher enrollment rate in schools and higher education institutions, improve the quality of education, guarantee equal access for all students, and effectively impart scientific knowledge, democratic values, professional skills, and moral education.

Under Government Order No: ED/166/UNE/2023, Bangalore, dated October 11, 2023, the State Education Policy Commission will be chaired by the highly respected Professor Sukhdev Thorat, renowned for his expertise as an Educationist, Economist, Writer, and his former role as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in New Delhi.

The Commission comprises an eminent group of members including:

1. Sri Sanjay Kaul, Retd. IAS Officer, Former Secretary School Education, Government of India.

2. Prof. S. Japhet, Founding Director of the UGC-sponsored Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEEIP),Former Vice Chancellor, Bengaluru City University.

3. Prof. Jogan Shankar, Former Vice Chancellor, Kuvempu University.

4. Dr. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor of National Law School of India University (NLSIU),Bengaluru.

5. Prof. Rajendra Channi, Retd. Professor of English at Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Karnataka.

6. Dr. Nataraj Budalu, Retd. Professor, Kannada, writer, philosopher, Tumakuru.

7. Prof. Sudanshu Bhushan, Professor and Head of the Department of Higher and Professional Education in the National Educational, Planning and Administration (NIEPA),New Delhi.

8. Prof. Pranati Panda, Professor and Head of the Department of School and Non-Formal Education in the National Educational, Planning and Administration (NIEPA),New Delhi.

9. Dr. Furqan Qamar, Professor of Management at the Center for Management Studies, Jamia Millia University, New Delhi.

10. Dr. Sharat AnanthaMurthy, Professor, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad.

11. Sri. A. Narayana, Professor with the School of Policy and Governance, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

12. Dr. V. P. Niranjanaradhya, Educationist and Program Head of Universalization of Education at National Law School of India University (NLSIU),Bengaluru.

13. Dr. M. S. Talawar, Retd. Professor in Education and Director, UGC Academic Staff College, Bangalore University, Bangalore.

14. Dr. Santhosh Naik. R., Professor, Department of Sociology, Karnataka State Open University, Mysore.

15. Dr. Vinaya Okkunda, Associate Professor, Kannada Writer, Columnist, Govt. First Grade College, Dandeli, Uttara Kannada District.

Furthermore, a panel of subject experts and advisors has been identified to provide their invaluable insights and guidance to the Commission.

Dr. Bhagyavana S. Mudigoudra, Special Officer from the Department of Higher Education, will serve as the Member Secretary, responsible for coordinating and maintaining meeting proceedings. Administrative and secretariat assistance will be provided by the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) and the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) in Bengaluru.

All Commission members will receive travel and daily allowances as per the prevailing government regulations. The Department of School Education & Literacy and the Department of Higher Education are directed to appoint nodal officers to facilitate and support the Commission's work.

Karnataka Chief Minister's Statement:

The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the State Education Policy Commission's formation under the leadership of Professor Sukhdev Thorat. He emphasized the importance of the Commission's work in providing scientific knowledge, rationality, and mental development to students. The Chief Minister anticipates that Karnataka's education policy will set a national example.

This historic decision is effective immediately, and all relevant authorities are urged to extend their full cooperation and assistance to the Commission during its deliberations.