‘Take action to shift high-tension power lines, transformers from school zones’

Chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Shashidhar Kosambe has given the officers of departments concerned a month’s time to shift high-tension electricity cables and transformers from the vicinity of schools.

Chairing a district-level review meeting here on Saturday, he reviewed the implementation of the programmes under the Compulsory Education Act – 2009, the POCSO Act – 2012 and the Child Protection Policy – 2016.

Mr. Kosambe said that high-tension cables were passing near 72 school premises and electricity transformers were installed near 42 schools in the district. “Officials should take immediate action to shift high-tension cables and transformers within a month. A suo motu case will be registered if it is not done,” he warned, adding that it is a prime duty to ensure a fearless education atmosphere for students.

The chairman directed the Education Department and other officers to supply quality grains for mid-day meals in government-run schools. The Aadhaar card verification and seeding of 2.66 lakh children should be completed in a week, he said while giving January 5, 2026 as the deadline to correct mismatching and duplication of birth certificates.

Referring to the considerable number of dropouts, Mr. Kosambe said that an efficient effort is needed to reduce the percentage of school dropouts.

He said that the Education Department must correct mistakes in improving the pass percentage in SSLC results. Follow the guidelines, particularly police verifications, while appointing guest teachers/lecturers for schools, and submit a compliance report, he said.

The officers should ensure that each school mentions the child helpline number (1098) on the boards mandatorily and strictly implements the guidelines issued under Child Protection Policy 2016 for the protection of every child with proper basic needs, including good condition schoolrooms and toilets.