Bengaluru : Karnataka BJP president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over its decision to allow Pre-University (PU) lecturers to teach Classes 9 and 10 in government schools, calling it an “anti-student and anti-lecturer” move that would adversely affect the quality of education at both the secondary and pre-university levels.
Addressing mediapersons in Bengaluru, Vijayendra demanded that the state government immediately withdraw the controversial notification amending the Karnataka General Services (Pre-University Education) Rules. The amendment enables newly recruited and promoted PU lecturers to be posted for teaching students of Classes 9 and 10 in government high schools.
ಪ್ರೌಢಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರ ಕೊರತೆಯಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ನೆಪವೊಡ್ಡಿ ಪಿಯು ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸಕರನ್ನು ನಿಯೋಜಿಸಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಸುತ್ತೋಲೆ ಹೊರಡಿಸಿದೆ. 9ನೇ ಮತ್ತು 10ನೇ ತರಗತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಪಿಯು ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸಕರನ್ನು ನಿಯೋಜಿಸುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಹೊರಡಿಸಿರುವ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಸೇವೆಗಳು (ಪದವಿ ಪೂರ್ವ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ) ಆದೇಶ ಸಮರ್ಥನಿಯವಲ್ಲ.ಇದು ಆಡಳಿತಾತ್ಮಕ ಪಠ್ಯಕ್ರಮ… pic.twitter.com/11tuN9zIvb
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) July 16, 2026
Vijayendra alleged that the government had taken a unilateral decision without consulting stakeholders, including PU lecturers, principals, teachers, parents, students or education experts.
“This is not a routine administrative order. It is a decision that will directly impact lakhs of students and thousands of lecturers across Karnataka. Such an important policy change cannot be imposed without holding discussions with all stakeholders and conducting a proper academic study,” he said.
He accused the Congress government of attempting to address the shortage of high school teachers through a temporary arrangement instead of filling vacant teaching posts.
“The government is using the shortage of teachers in high schools as an excuse to divert PU lecturers. Instead of recruiting qualified teachers and strengthening the education system, it is trying to shift the burden onto lecturers. This is neither a practical nor a long-term solution,” Vijayendra said.
The BJP leader argued that assigning PU lecturers to teach secondary school students would dilute the quality of education at both levels.
“If PU lecturers are diverted to Classes 9 and 10, their focus on Pre-University education will naturally suffer. As a result, neither PU students nor high school students will receive the attention they deserve. Ultimately, students at both levels will become victims of this ill-conceived policy,” he said.
Describing the notification as a “misguided decision,” Vijayendra said the government had failed to understand the distinct academic requirements of secondary and pre-university education.
“Teaching Classes 9 and 10 requires a different pedagogical approach from teaching PU students. The government cannot assume that lecturers can simply be shifted from one level to another without affecting academic standards,” he said.
Vijayendra also questioned how such a major policy decision could be taken when Karnataka continues to function without a full-time Education Minister.
“It is ironic that a government which has not even appointed an Education Minister is making sweeping changes to the education system. Who is taking these decisions and on what basis? The government owes an explanation to students, parents and teachers,” he remarked.
The BJP state president said the notification reflected the Congress government’s failure to address long-pending vacancies in the education sector.
“Instead of filling vacant posts through regular recruitment, the government is trying to manage the crisis through administrative adjustments. This will only weaken the education system further,” he alleged.
Vijayendra urged Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to reconsider the decision and withdraw the amended rules immediately.
“The Congress government should not experiment with the future of Karnataka’s children. Education reforms must be based on expert consultation, academic planning and the interests of students not administrative convenience. The notification should be revoked without delay,” he demanded.
The state government had earlier issued a draft notification in June inviting objections to the proposed amendments. Following the consultation period, it notified the revised rules, making it mandatory for newly appointed and promoted PU lecturers to teach Classes 9 and 10 in institutions specified by the government. The decision has since drawn criticism from sections of lecturers and opposition parties, who argue that it could adversely impact teaching standards in both high schools and PU colleges.
