The Department of Education will launch a State-wide campaign, Shalege Baa, to increase attendance in government schools, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Madhu Bangarappa said in Belagavi on Tuesday.

“We are launching the campaign based on directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. As part of the programme, teachers will go door to door and invite students to attend classes. Teachers will not only convince parents of the need to educate their children but also about the facilities provided in government schools,” the Minister said.

He was speaking at a progress review meeting covering Belagavi and Chikkodi educational districts at the Suvarna Soudha here.

“All of us need to focus on increasing enrolment in government schools. Teachers and officials should work towards providing quality education to children and run government schools in a professional manner, like private schools, for example. We have to introspect on the reduced enrolment in government schools,” he said.

“Teachers and administrators should focus on schools where enrolment is falling. Additional focus should be given to those schools. Priority should be given to bringing children to school and providing quality education to them,” he said.

“The State government is providing various facilities to children like free uniforms, mid-day meals and books in its schools. This needs to be publicised. The State government has decided to allow school admissions till July 30 this year. Steps should be taken to ensure that more children get admission in government schools,” he said.

“I have noticed that attendance of government schoolchildren in Gokak and Raibag taluks in Belagavi district is very low. Data on enrolment of children should be maintained properly every year. The officials concerned should pay surprise visits to schools and conduct continuous checks,” he said.

SSLC pass percentage has increased in Belagavi and Chikkodi educational districts this year. Efforts should be made to improve it in the coming years. Similarly, he pointed out that teacher attendance in schools should be strictly enforced, he said.

“Children who are lagging behind in learning should be identified and focus should be on improving their aptitude. Good teachers should be identified and given more responsibility. The government has already directed organizing awareness programmes called Odu Karnataka in every district. It is essential for every government school to provide quality education to children,” he said.

The funds released by the department should be used appropriately. Shoes and socks distributed to children in schools should be of good quality. School uniforms and textbooks should be distributed to all children by the end of July. The schemes being taken up by the Education Department should be properly implemented, the Minister said.

School buildings that have become dilapidated due to rain should be identified and the department should be informed of it. They will be repaired. Dilapidated rooms should not be used to conduct classes, he said.

Vacancies have been filled with guest teachers, Deputy Director Leelavati Hiremath said. She said that there is no shortage of teaching staff at present. She said that dilapidated buildings are being identified for repairs.

MLAs Mahantesh Kaujalagi and Duryodhan Aihole, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rahul Shinde, Additional Commissioner of Education Jayashree Shintre and other officers were present.