Bengaluru: Asserting that the State Government was investing a lot on SC/ST, OBC and Minorities education, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday announced a special programme to upgrade Residential Schools across the State to bring them at par with CBSE standards.

Speaking at an event to mark the 106th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs, he said Karnataka has some 800 Residential Schools catering to students from various social groups.

He said programmes can be launched to increase confidence of College students in residential facilities to clear NEET, CET and different competitive exams for higher education as wells for jobs in the personal sector. 

“Karnataka started Adarsha Vidyalayas that are honoured by CBSE. We want to create a system [in residential schools] that is of CBSE standards,” he said.

Further he said the State Government will also start three new Residential Schools for children belonging to nomadic tribes this year. “There are already four Schools and a Corporation. Of the four Schools, two don’t have their own buildings. For that, we’re giving Rs. 6 crore each. We will also take decisions to safeguard the unique nomadic cultures,” he said.

Earlier, Bommai and different leaders paid floral tributes to Devaraj Urs at the State Secretariat. Addressing the gathering, he lauded the contributions of Urs through the unification and development of the State. He said that the State Government has been offering scholarships valued at Rs. 625 crore yearly for College kids of SC/STs, Minorities and OBCs for pursuing higher education.

On the occasion, Bommai presented Devaraj Urs Award to Basavaprabhu Lakhangowda Patil of Athani in Belagavi, S.G. Susheelamma of Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Bengaluru and K. Bhaskar Das of Yekkar in Dakshina Kannada district for 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively, for his or her work for the welfare of the downtrodden.