Karnataka prioritises education reforms, proposes social media ban for children

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s education system, including a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 , measures to curb drug abuse in campuses, and plans to fill thousands of teaching vacancies.

Presenting the Karnataka Budget for 2026-27 , the Chief Minister said the decision to restrict social media access for minors was taken to address the adverse effects of excessive mobile phone usage among children . The government will frame measures to ensure the ban is implemented effectively.

Emphasising the importance of educational institutions in shaping students’ future, Siddaramaiah also announced strict action to prevent drug abuse in schools, colleges, and universities . The government plans to launch awareness and educational campaigns , enforce disciplinary measures, and establish dedicated counselling and support centres across campuses.

To strengthen the education sector, the government will fill 15,000 vacant teaching positions in schools and colleges during the next financial year.

The budget also includes significant investments in school infrastructure. A grant of ₹565 crore has been allocated for the construction of new classrooms and repair works in government primary schools, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges , while ₹75 crore will be spent on building toilets and ₹25 crore on purchasing furniture. An additional ₹125 crore has been earmarked for maintenance of government educational institutions.

Under the slogan “Uttama Kalike, Ujjwala Bhavishya” (Better Learning, Brighter Future) , the government plans to upgrade 800 schools into Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) over the next three years at an estimated cost of ₹3,900 crore .

To support student well-being, qualified mental health counsellors will be appointed at 204 Block Resource Centres . The state will also introduce English language training for primary school teachers at a cost of ₹24 crore .

Additionally, in collaboration with IIT Dharwad , the government will introduce an AI-based personalised digital learning tutor for around 12.28 lakh students from Classes 8 to 12 , aimed at enhancing self-learning opportunities in government schools.