In 30 Seconds
What changed: Karnataka will offer bilingual Kannada and English classes in all 46,757 government schools by June 2027.
Where it stands: 9,522 government schools run bilingual classes now, so about 37,000 are still to come.
Who it affects: parents of children joining Classes 1 to 5 in Karnataka government schools.
What to do: ask your local government school which medium it offers before the next admission season.
Karnataka will run bilingual government schools across the whole state by June 2027. The plan covers Kannada and English classes in all 46,757 government schools, up from 9,522 today. School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa set the target.
Madhu Bangarappa made the announcement at the Namma Shaale Namma Javabdari event in early November 2026. He was speaking to private school representatives. The Department of School Education and Literacy runs the programme.
What is the plan for bilingual government schools in Karnataka?
Karnataka will add bilingual classes in every government school by June 2027. In a bilingual class, teachers use Kannada and English together. The state runs 46,757 government schools in all.
Bangarappa said the department will cover the rest next year. He put it plainly: the state will offer bilingual education at all government schools. The plan adds English without dropping Kannada.
How many Karnataka government schools have bilingual classes now?
Only 9,522 government schools run bilingual classes today. That is about one in five. So nearly 37,000 schools still have to be added by June 2027.
The rollout grew in steps, from 1,000 schools in 2019-20 to 2,000 in 2024-25. The state then cleared 4,134 more primary schools for 2025-26.
| Year | Government schools with bilingual classes |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 1,000 |
| 2024-25 | 2,000 |
| 2025-26 | 4,134 more primary schools cleared |
| 2026-27 (now) | 9,522 of 46,757 |
| By June 2027 | All 46,757 (target) |
Bilingual classes now run from Class 1 to Class 5. Pre-primary sections reached 6,675 schools between 2018 and 2025.
What does a bilingual classroom mean for a child?
A bilingual classroom teaches the same lesson in two languages. The teacher moves between Kannada and English. The child learns the subject and the new words together.
Children can start English from the pre-primary stage. Last year 1,008 schools in Kalyana Karnataka opened LKG and UKG classes. About 48,000 children joined them within 42 days.
Government school mein English medium milega kya?
Yes, if your local government school offers a bilingual section. Enrol the child and choose the English side. Ask the headmaster which medium runs there; Karnataka school years open in June.
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Why is Karnataka adding English in government schools?
Government school rolls have fallen hard. Enrolment dropped by 17 lakh over 15 years, the minister told the Assembly. Many parents moved their children to private English schools.
Bangarappa framed the change as a choice for parents. He said parents have the right to pick the medium. The state cannot insist on one, so it offers both.
Some academics disagree. They warn a wider English push can weaken Kannada-medium schools.
Can Karnataka staff and equip every school by June 2027?
This is the hard part, and the state has not answered it fully. More than 10,000 teachers are being recruited and trained. Even so, the gap is wide.
Karnataka already leans on 43,526 guest teachers to fill posts. A teacher-training body plans support for about 65,000 teachers from July 2026 to March 2027.
Classrooms need more than teachers. Some schools that shifted to bilingual mono-grade classes report a furniture shortage. The state has not shared a school-by-school readiness list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will all Karnataka government schools become bilingual?
Karnataka plans to make all 46,757 government schools bilingual by June 2027. Bilingual means Kannada and English are both used to teach. About 9,522 schools already run bilingual classes. The remaining schools will be added in stages before the June 2027 deadline.
How many government schools in Karnataka are bilingual now?
About 9,522 government schools in Karnataka run bilingual classes now, out of 46,757 in all. That is roughly one in five. Bilingual teaching currently runs from Class 1 to Class 5. The state began with 1,000 schools in 2019-20.
Will Kannada be removed from Karnataka government schools?
No, Kannada stays in Karnataka government schools. The bilingual plan adds English alongside Kannada and does not drop it. Teachers use both languages in the same class. The minister said the state will offer both mediums and let parents choose.
Can parents choose English medium in a government school?
Yes, parents can choose the English side where a Karnataka government school offers a bilingual section. The state says it will offer both Kannada and English and will not insist on one. Families pick the medium at the time of admission.
Where was the Karnataka bilingual schools plan announced?
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa announced the plan at the Namma Shaale Namma Javabdari event in early November 2026. He was addressing private school representatives. The Department of School Education and Literacy runs the bilingual programme across Karnataka.
Last verified: November 9, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Department of School Education and Literacy, Karnataka, before you act.
