The Karnataka government will build 900 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) across the state to give rural students education equal to private schools, said Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Madhu Bangarappa. At a January 7 press conference in Kalaburagi, he said 600 schools will be completed by the School Education Department. Another 300 will be set up through the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Minority Welfare Department, and corporate social responsibility funds. Among these, 300 schools will be in the Kalyana Karnataka region, with 200 supported by the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB). The government will also strengthen infrastructure at 309 existing KPS schools. Bangarappa said KPS schools will offer education from LKG to second PUC with facilities like computers, bilingual learning, music, and skill training. Teachers will receive need-based training to improve student results. He said allowing students to take SSLC and second PUC exams three times a year has raised pass rates, with 1.16 lakh SSLC and 56,000 second PUC students passing in the last academic year (2025). The government will recruit 11,000 new teachers, including 5,800 in Kalyana Karnataka, with appointments expected by May or June. To handle a shortage of 51,000 teachers, guest teachers were appointed to avoid disrupting education. "Our priority is not just recruitment, but ensuring quality education," the minister said. Other officials at the press meet included MLC Jagdev Guttedar, Additional Commissioner Rahul Pandve, and Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena.