Bengaluru, August 27: Karnataka Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Student Issues and Education Reforms to examine challenges faced by students and recommend measures to improve the State’s education system.
Committee will be headed by Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader. Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, Home and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge, Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, and School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa are the other members. Committee has been asked to consult students, parents, teachers, educational institutions and other stakeholders across Karnataka before submitting its recommendations. Government has given the committee one month to submit its report.
Six key areas for reform
Cabinet Sub-Committee will examine six major areas:
1. Examination and recruitment integrity
The panel will look at ways to prevent question paper leaks and malpractice, improve transparency and accountability in examinations and recruitment, and establish a fixed, time-bound examination and recruitment calendar.
2. Education costs and coaching regulation
It will examine regulation of fees charged by private educational institutions and coaching centres and explore measures to reduce the financial burden on students and their families.
3. Public education infrastructure and quality
The committee will consider ways to improve Government schools, PU colleges and universities, including addressing teacher vacancies and providing adequate laboratories, libraries, hostels and other essential facilities.
4. Curriculum, skills and employment
The panel will examine whether curricula are aligned with emerging employment opportunities and industry requirements. Skill development, apprenticeships, internships and stronger industry-institution partnerships will also be considered.
5. Student mental health and wellbeing
The committee will review counselling and student support systems, particularly measures to address academic and examination stress and strengthen suicide-prevention measures in coaching hubs, hostels and residential educational institutions.
6. Access and equity
The panel will examine measures to strengthen scholarships and financial assistance, expand hostel facilities, promote girls’ education and provide appropriate support to SC/ST, OBC, minority and first-generation learners.
Wider consultations planned
Official memorandum said the committee can seek assistance from subject experts from relevant fields.Higher Education Department has been designated as the nodal department for the Cabinet Sub-Committee.
Government said the exercise is aimed at listening to the concerns of young people and developing an education system that better prepares students for future opportunities.
Committee was constituted following a Cabinet decision dated August 21, 2026, with the official memorandum issued on August 26.
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Karnataka education reforms, student issues Karnataka, U T Khader, Cabinet Sub-Committee, education reform committee, Karnataka students, Citizen News Puttur