Schools will start from 9.30 am, says Kageri

BANGALORE:  Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri on Saturday assured the members of the Karnataka State Aided Primary School Teachers Association that the first bell in schools would ring at 9.30 am as against the decision that was taken by the Department of Public Instruction.Teachers allegedly complained that changing the timings to 8.30 am was problematic. “It will be difficult for us to reach schools that early,” said the members of the Association.In response, Kageri said, “I want to assure you that schools will start at 9.30 am. I will inform the officials to not make any changes to this. It is my prerogative to take a decision on this and I am confident that those under me will do as I decide.”The minister also declared that the government was contemplating the implementation of Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) of 1.30 (one teacher for thirty students). “With Right to Education (RTE) Act is impending in the State, we are looking at including teachers from aided schools while implementing the 1.30 PTR,” said Kageri.According to sources in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the State will need 2,500 additional teachers in aided schools if the 1:30 PTR is to be implemented.