Karnataka Government Phases Out Nali-Kali System in Primary Schools
The Karnataka government has announced the phasing out of the Nali-Kali system, an activity-based, child-centred approach used in primary classes across government schools. This decision impacts over 25,000 schools, which will transition to single-grade classrooms starting from the 2026-27 academic year.
Reasons Behind the Phase-Out
The Nali-Kali system has faced significant criticism for ineffective implementation, leading to poor learning outcomes among students. A recent report by the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), submitted by chairman Purushottama Bilimale, highlighted several key issues:
- Despite a good conceptual foundation, the system failed to achieve success even after 30 years of operation.
- Retirement of trained teachers and their replacement with guest teachers lacking proper training compromised classroom effectiveness.
- In overcrowded classes, teachers struggled to provide equal attention to all students.
- Many schools, particularly in rural areas, suffered from inadequate learning materials and dilapidated classrooms, making it difficult for children to learn, especially during rainy seasons.
Implementation Details and Timeline
According to a circular from the school education department, 25,014 schools will adopt single-grade classes. This includes:
- Karnataka Public Schools
- PM Shri schools
- Schools with kindergarten sections
- Comprehensive Environment Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ)-funded schools
The remaining 16,762 institutions will continue using the Nali-Kali system for now. The phase-out is expected to be completed within two years, aligning with earlier reports from July 2025.
Support and Criticism of the Decision
The Karnataka State Primary School Teachers' Association has welcomed the government's move, citing challenges in managing multi-grade classrooms. An educationist noted that while the Nali-Kali system might work in Scandinavian countries with limited students and educated parents, it was unsuitable for Karnataka's government schools. Issues included:
- Teachers' inability to handle diverse grade levels simultaneously.
- Instances where older students, such as those in class 3, acted as helpers for younger children instead of receiving age-appropriate instruction.
This shift marks a significant change in Karnataka's primary education strategy, aiming to address long-standing deficiencies and improve learning environments for students across the state.
