Mangalore : Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Basavaraj Horatti has announced plans to start a political science degree college in Bengaluru from June. Speaking to media representatives on Tuesday, he said that experts are being consulted to design a three-year curriculum incorporating political studies. Inputs will be sought from retired professors, experienced politicians, and knowledgeable citizens, with a detailed plan expected within a month.
Horatti added that discussions have been held with Assembly Deputy Speaker U.T. Khader and the Chief Minister, who has assured funding for the initiative.
He also highlighted challenges in the state’s education sector, noting that 29,000 teacher vacancies remain unfilled and 1,900 primary schools have fewer than ten students. “Government-run Kannada medium schools are declining. Many teachers do not send their children to government schools, preferring English medium institutions. Politicians who run educational institutions focus primarily on improving their own schools,” he said.
Horatti emphasized that giving experienced officials responsibility for the Education Department would yield better outcomes. Recalling his tenure as Education Minister, he noted that he had closed 417 schools running English medium education under Kannada medium permission, despite opposition from 17 legislators. He also observed that corruption has increased at all administrative levels, including in schools now running English medium education under approved permissions.
The proposed college aims to strengthen political education in the state while addressing the broader challenges in governance and administrative awareness among students.
