Mangaluru: The state government has approved the upgrade of 50 government high schools into pre-university colleges under the 2025-26 state budget, with two institutions from Dakshina Kannada included in the list. The move is aimed at expanding access to higher secondary education in rural and underserved areas, particularly for girls who often discontinue studies after SSLC due to the absence of nearby PU colleges.If infrastructure verification is completed on schedule, the upgraded institutions are expected to begin functioning from the next academic year. In Dakshina Kannada, Government High School Kallarakodi and Government High School Vittal have been selected for upgrade.Officials said the initiative is intended to address a long-standing gap in access to pre-university education in villages where students are forced to travel long distances after class 10. The government believes the lack of nearby colleges has contributed to a high dropout rate, especially among female students.SN Padmini, undersecretary to the government, department of school education and literacy, said an official order has been issued granting administrative approval for the upgrade of 50 eligible government high schools into pre-university colleges. The order follows the state budget announcement that promised wider access to higher secondary education across Karnataka.The school upgradation plan is part of a broader education package under which 100 eligible government senior primary schools will also be upgraded into high schools. According to official proceedings, the department of school education and literacy identified 24 priority programmes for implementation in the 2025-26 budget, with expansion of school and PU access among the key measures.Under the guidelines, a government high school can be considered for upgrade only if there is no government or aided PU college within a 15km radius. The school must also normally have at least 40 students in class 10. However, the distance rule will be relaxed for schools with 100 or more students in class 10, allowing them to qualify even if another PU college exists within 15km.The order also allows exemptions for institutions that are expected to receive salary and infrastructure support for the next three years through the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board or corporate social responsibility grants. Such schools may be considered even if they do not fully meet the standard distance and enrolment norms.Bharath S, director of the department of pre-university education, Bengaluru, said officials are currently assessing infrastructure at the selected schools. Institutions that already meet the required standards will begin operations first, while the department will create the necessary facilities in schools that fall short. Each upgraded institution will initially be allowed to start with one pre-university course combination.
