Poor SSLC results spark concern over Kalyana K'taka's edu crisis

A REPORT SHOWED THAT KARNATAKA HAS OVER 59,000 VACANT TEACHING POSTS, WITH THE KALABURAGI DIVISION FACING A SHORTFALL OF OVER 21,000

- Yohan P Honnaddi

BIDAR: The recently announced Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Examination-1 results for the 2024-25 academic year have cast a grim shadow over Kalyana Karnataka, where districts like Kalaburagi and Yadgir continue to languish at the bottom of the rankings, sparking fresh concerns about the state of school education in the region.

Despite consistent investments into the region's development, the SSLC outcomes reflect a deep and persistent crisis. Kalaburagi, regarded as the region's administrative and political hub, posted the lowest pass rate of 42.43%, slipping to the last position among Karnataka's districts. Yadgir, though slightly improved, stood at 33rd with a pass percentage of 51.6%. "Kalaburagi's 42.43% pass rate is especially worrying," said Akash Shankar, additional commissioner of Kalaburagi division. "It is unfortunate that none of the Kalyana Karnataka districts are in the state's top 10."

In comparison, southern coastal districts such as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi continued their streak at the top, highlighting a widening regional disparity in education outcomes. One of the most pressing issues behind the region's declining performance is the severe shortage of teachers. A government report revealed that Karnataka has over 59,000 vacant teaching posts, with the Kalaburagi division alone facing a shortfall of over 21,000, including 17,274 in primary schools and 4,107 in high schools.