Latest news with #Devadasis
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Scrap mandatory father's name rule: NGO to Centre, Karnataka governments
BENGALURU: Ondede, a human rights organisation, has urged both the state and Union governments to stop mandating the father's name in official documents for children of sex workers, gender minorities, Devadasis, and single women. As schools are set to reopen, the organisation stated that such requirements pose barriers to education, violate children's rights, and reinforce discrimination against marginalised communities. Among its 21 demands, the organisation urged the formulation of national and state-level policies that safeguard the rights of these communities and their children and that they are not violated. It stressed that members of these communities must be actively involved in the policy-making process. The organisation also called for an incentive of Rs 10 lakh for self-employment and to implement strict penalties for officials who show apathy or discrimination, as per existing laws. Geetha, secretary of Sadhana Mahila Sangha, an NGO supporting sex workers, said, 'Access to identity-based services such as education, healthcare, voter ID, and job reservations should be based solely on the mother's documents in the case of children from marginalised communities.' She said the demands are aimed at improving the overall quality of life for mothers and children from marginalised groups. Recalling her experience, transgender activist Akkai Padmashali said, 'Though my marriage was registered under the Special Marriage Act, after my divorce, I was granted sole custody of my child. Yet, when I approached the passport office, I encountered officials who were indifferent and biased.'
Deccan Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Frame policies to protect sex workers' children: Activists to Karnataka government
They also demanded the central and state governments ensure the rights and welfare of children born to sex workers, former Devadasis, and gender or sexual minorities.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
MBC leaders slam new quota, caste inaccuracies in Karnataka census
BENGALURU: Karnataka's More and Most Backward Caste (MBCs) leaders came together under the leadership of actor-activist Chetan Ahimsa on Thursday, to criticise the Backward Classes Commission, and denounce what they said was 'betrayal of social justice.' Terming the newly-introduced 1B reservation category 'unscientific, unjust, and politically motivated', speakers accused the Commission of bypassing academic and employment data and educational statistics to fabricate the category for political convenience. 'This is not social justice,' declared one speaker. MBC nomadic communities demanded their own scientific subclassification. Actor Chetan Ahimsa said that while the Karnataka Socio-Economic & Educational Survey (SES-2015) was billed as a tool for social justice, it is looking more like caste manipulation. Ahimsa pointed to the sudden formation of 1B category in April 2025, which grants 12 per cent reservation to 80 castes, including the Kuruba community, to which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs. He questioned why castes previously under Groups 1 and 2A were reshuffled, and communities like Kurubas (formerly 2A) were placed with some of the state's most vulnerable, such as Devadasis and Hallaki Vokkaligas. 'The math doesn't add up,' he said. '1B has a population of 73.9 lakh, smaller than 2A's 77.7 lakh, yet gets 2 per cent more reservation. What justifies this?'
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Despite severe teacher crunch, KREIS students outshine govt schools
BENGALURU: Karnataka's KREIS (Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society) schools continue to outperform government-run ones in board examinations, but a severe shortage of teaching staff threatens to undermine their long-term success. Currently, just 9,000 teachers are responsible for educating over 2.12 lakh students. The demanding nature of these postings has deterred many educators from accepting positions, according to officials from the Social Welfare Department, which oversees the schools. They are urging the government to offer incentives or increase salaries to attract and retain qualified teachers. Despite these challenges, KREIS schools have achieved remarkable academic results this year. They recorded a 91% pass rate in the SSLC exams — significantly higher than the state average of 62.34% — and a 91.64% pass rate in the 2nd PUC exams, far surpassing the 57.11% recorded by government colleges. KREIS operates approximately 822 schools, primarily serving students from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, including children of sanitation workers, nomadic tribes, former Devadasis, rescued bonded labourers and other vulnerable communities. Many of these students are first-generation learners. Impressively, 34.10% of students earned distinctions and 55.90% achieved first-class results. The average score rose from 71.54% last year to 78% this year, and 71 students ranked among the top scorers. Officials credit this success to the KREIS schools' holistic support system. Unlike regular government institutions, these residential schools provide for every basic need — including toiletries, uniforms and textbooks — entirely free of cost. This approach allows students from Classes 6 to 12 to focus entirely on their education, while promoting confidence and self-discipline in a supportive environment. However, the current teacher-student ratio is raising alarms. Officials warn that the burden on existing staff is unsustainable and may compromise the quality of education over time. 'Many teachers avoid KREIS postings due to the high workload and inadequate pay,' said a teacher from a KREIS school in Koppal. 'If this continues, larger class sizes and staff burnout will become the norm. The only way to maintain quality is to improve compensation and provide incentives to attract skilled educators.' In a progressive move this year, the department introduced a policy to admit orphaned children directly into KREIS schools, reserving 50% of seats for them without entrance exams. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and guarantees free education from Class 6 through Class 12.
Deccan Herald
06-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
KREIS schools: A model to emulate
The recently announced SSLC results have thrown light on a remarkable yet often overlooked story – that of the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS). While the overall SSLC pass percentage in the state rose to 62.34% -- a 9% improvement from last year-- KREIS schools have soared far beyond, achieving an exceptional 91% pass rate. This is not just a statistical achievement, it is a demonstration of what can be achieved when government officers are committed and systems are managed with purpose. KREIS, which currently runs 821 schools under the Department of Social Welfare, educates over two lakh students, from the most marginalised communities, including those from nomadic tribes, families of sanitation workers, former Devadasis, rescued bonded labourers, and other underprivileged backgrounds. Many are first-generation learners and despite significant hurdles, they have secured 34.10% distinctions and 55.90% first-class results. With the average scores increasing from 72% last year to 78% this year, the institutions even bagged 71 ranks, including the prestigious third rank success is a testament to the commitment of teachers and administrators. Their collective leadership demonstrates that with focussed governance, even the most underprivileged students can achieve excellence when provided with the right support and direction. However, this achievement also raises an urgent question: If such excellence can be achieved by KREIS schools serving some of the most disadvantaged children, why do regular government schools still linger at a 63% pass rate?.The key differentiator appears to be the comprehensive support system inherent in the KREIS model. These fully residential institutions provide students with everything they need, from basic needs like toothbrushes to essential learning material like textbooks, all free of cost. This holistic approach allows students from Grades 6 to 12 to concentrate solely on their education in an environment that nurtures both academic growth and a strong sense of self-worth. Karnataka should build on this success and expand KREIS schools by leveraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to bring much-needed funding into infrastructure, technology, and student welfare. When students from oppressed communities are provided such all-around support, they not only excel academically but also develop the confidence to aim higher in their career paths. The government should continue to empower committed leadership, scale this successful model, and ensure every child in Karnataka has access to quality education. KREIS has shown us what is possible. Other states should take note, while Karnataka should ensure that this shining example becomes a norm, not an exception.
