Bengaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has constituted a five-member Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Health Minister U T Khader, to examine issues affecting students and recommend reforms in the education sector.

The panel has been tasked with reviewing the integrity of examination and recruitment systems, including measures to prevent question paper leaks and malpractices. It will also examine the regulation of fees charged by private educational institutions, regulation of coaching centres and measures to reduce the financial burden on students and their families.

Strengthening education infrastructure, improving curriculum, developing student mental health support systems and ensuring equitable access to education through scholarships and other assistance will also form part of the committee’s mandate.

The other members of the committee are Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Home Minister G Parameshwara and School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.

The committee has been directed to hold wider consultations with students, parents, teachers, educational institutions and other stakeholders before submitting its report to the government within a month.

The panel will focus on six key areas:

  1. Examination and recruitment integrity

The committee will examine measures to prevent question paper leaks and other malpractices, while ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability in state examinations and recruitment processes. It will also look at establishing a fixed, time-bound calendar for examinations and recruitment, particularly in the wake of recent allegations surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

  1. Cost of education, fees and coaching regulation

The panel will review fees charged by private educational institutions and examine ways to regulate coaching centres. Measures to reduce the financial burden of education on students and their families will also be considered, addressing a long-standing concern among parents.

  1. Infrastructure and quality in public institutions

The committee will examine ways to strengthen infrastructure and improve the quality of education in government schools, pre-university colleges and universities. This will include addressing teacher shortages and ensuring adequate laboratories, libraries, hostels and other essential facilities.

  1. Curriculum, skilling and employment

The panel will look at aligning curricula with emerging employment opportunities and industry requirements. It will also consider measures to promote skills training, apprenticeships and internships, besides strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and industry.

  1. Student mental health and well-being

Strengthening counselling and student support systems will be another priority. The committee will examine ways to address academic and examination-related stress and develop suicide-prevention measures, particularly in coaching hubs, hostels and residential educational institutions, amid recent incidents of student suicides.

  1. Access and equity

The committee will examine ways to strengthen scholarships and financial assistance, expand hostel capacity and promote girls’ education. It will also consider appropriate support for students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minority and first-generation learner communities.