Updated On: 15 Sep 2026
BENGALURU: Social Welfare Minister K H Muniyappa said the state government has earmarked ₹660 crore to achieve its goal of establishing one residential school in every hobli, with approvals for the remaining 65–70 schools expected soon.
Speaking after inaugurating the International Day of Democracy celebrations along with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Muniyappa said the government was committed to providing quality education to children from poor and daily-wage labourer families in rural areas.
The minister paid floral tributes to the portraits of Dr B R Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram before addressing the gathering.
“Youth are the strength of this country. Their awareness is vital to protect democracy and safeguard the constitutional values given by Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar,” Muniyappa said.
He said initiatives such as Youth Parliament programmes and debate competitions were successfully creating constitutional awareness among young people at the taluk and district levels.
Residential schools deliver strong results
Muniyappa said the state’s residential school initiative was producing significant results in improving educational opportunities for rural children.
More than 2.23 lakh students are studying in 874 residential schools across Karnataka, recording outstanding results ranging between 95 and 99 per cent, he said.
He said ₹660 crore had already been allocated to complete the construction of one residential school in every hobli. He also requested the Chief Minister to approve the remaining 65–70 schools at the earliest.
Recalling his earlier association with the department, Muniyappa said that when he was a Union Minister, he had served as a member of the Social Welfare Department’s advisory committee and offered several suggestions to establish residential schools at the rural level. The initiative had now helped children access quality education, he said.
He also credited former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s firm commitment to the hobli-wise residential school initiative for helping rural children receive better education.
Hostel infrastructure needs improvement
The minister said more than 2.22 lakh students were studying in 2,011 hostels under the Social Welfare Department and achieving an overall pass percentage of 86.
Many of these hostels are decades old and require comprehensive renovation, he said. If they are upgraded with well-equipped toilets and a better supporting environment on the lines of residential schools, students’ results could improve to 99 per cent, he added.
Muniyappa also stressed the need to provide promotions to 540 wardens and kitchen staff who have been awaiting service promotions for the past 20 years.
Youth Parliament on November 26
Muniyappa said Youth Parliament programmes were being launched in all districts under the leadership of district in-charge ministers.
A state-level student discussion programme modelled on Basavanna’s Anubhava Mantapa will be organised on November 26. The programme will involve 224 students, with one student selected from each Assembly constituency through taluk, district and state-level stages.
He said the initiative would encourage students to participate in discussions and develop democratic and constitutional awareness.
Emphasising the responsibility of the younger generation, Muniyappa said the youth of today must shoulder the task of building a great India in line with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision.
“With proper guidance from teachers and a supportive educational environment, students from Karnataka can emerge as leaders in the country. The younger generation must take firm steps to strengthen the values of the Constitution and democracy,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi and Rizwan Arshad, former minister H C Mahadevappa, corporation chairpersons Manjunath, Pallavi and Ramappa, Advocates’ Association president Vivek Subbareddy, government secretary Mohan Raj, commissioner Rakesh Kumar and other officials were present.
