Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered the closure of all government and government-aided schools from October 8 to October 18, halting classes across the state to allow teachers to focus on a lagging caste census that has sparked both urgency and tragedy. Announced on Tuesday after a high-level meeting with ministers and officials, the decision underscores the government’s push to complete a comprehensive socio-economic survey, which has faced uneven progress and claimed three lives among survey staff.

The caste survey, originally slated to conclude on October 7, has been extended due to stark disparities in completion rates across Karnataka’s districts. Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah revealed, “In some districts, the survey is nearly complete, like Koppal at 97%, but others, such as Udupi at 63% and Dakshina Kannada at 60%, are significantly behind.” He emphasized the need for a 10-day extension to achieve 100% coverage, with teachers – a critical workforce in this door-to-door effort – redirected from classrooms to fieldwork to ensure every household is accounted for. “Statewide, the survey has not met expectations, and we aim to wrap it up fully within this period,” he added.

The survey’s intensity has come at a heavy cost. Three staff members, including two teachers and a data enumerator, tragically lost their lives during field operations, reportedly due to exhaustion and accidents in remote areas. In response, the Karnataka government has announced Rs 20 lakh in compensation for each bereaved family, acknowledging their sacrifice in this ambitious endeavor. To balance educational commitments, teachers overseeing ongoing mid-term examinations have been exempted from survey duties, ensuring students’ academic schedules face minimal disruption.

Also Read: Former Yuva Morcha President Murdered in Koppal, Karnataka Police Investigate

The caste census, a cornerstone of Karnataka’s social justice agenda, aims to create a detailed digital database by geo-tagging every household using its electricity meter number and assigning a Unique Household ID (UHID). This system links ration cards, Aadhaar details, and residents’ mobile numbers to build a robust socio-economic profile of the state’s 6.5 crore population. For households missed during initial visits – a common issue in urban areas where residents are often away – the government has launched a helpline (8050770004) and an online portal for self-registration and grievance redressal. “This survey is about equity and accuracy,” said a senior official. “We’re ensuring no one is left out, whether they’re at home or not.”

The school closure has stirred mixed reactions. Parents and educators worry about the academic impact, especially for students in rural areas already grappling with learning gaps post-pandemic. Meanwhile, proponents of the survey argue it’s a critical step toward equitable resource allocation and policy-making, particularly for marginalized communities. The data, once compiled, is expected to influence reservation policies, welfare schemes, and development priorities, making its completion a political and social imperative for the Congress-led government.

Also Read: Teachers Swap Chalk for Clipboards as Karnataka Extends Caste Survey