Karnataka Extends Caste Census, Schools to Run on Shorter Hours
To complete the ongoing survey, teachers will now conduct census work after schools close early for a limited period.
BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has extended the deadline for its ongoing Social and Educational Survey, also known as the caste census. To help complete the work, school timings for government and aided schools will be shortened starting from October 8, when they reopen after the Dasara holidays.
A memo from the Department of School Education and Literacy outlines the new schedule. In the Greater Bengaluru area, classes will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. between October 8 and October 24. For the rest of Karnataka, the revised 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. schedule will be in effect for a shorter period, from October 8 to 12.
This adjustment allows teachers, who are serving as enumerators, to carry out the survey work after school hours. The decision was made after the Backward Classes Welfare Department requested more time to complete the extensive survey. Officials stated that changing the school timings was a way to ensure that students’ academic interests are protected and classroom learning is not disrupted after the mid-year break.
The survey, which is being managed by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, started on September 22 and was originally meant to end on October 7. A formal announcement of the extension has now been made. The commission noted that the survey’s rollout in Greater Bengaluru was delayed initially to allow for better training and preparation.
Officials have described the current survey as a scientific exercise with a 60-question form, costing an estimated ₹420 crore. This is the state’s second attempt at such a survey in recent years. A previous survey conducted in 2015, at a cost of ₹165.51 crore, was ultimately not used by the government.
