Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has granted permission to start English medium classes in 4,134 government schools from the current academic year.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the initiative in the state budget. Following this, the Department of School Education and Literacy issued an order approving English medium sections to meet the growing demand among parents and students.

The department has also sanctioned new bilingual sections in government high schools in Thirthahalli, Bilalukoppa, Hosur-Guddakeri, and Heddur in Shivamogga district, the native district of School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa.

The push for English medium instruction began in 2019-20 with bilingual education introduced in 1,000 schools, which expanded to 2,000 schools in 2024-25.

Of the newly approved 4,134 schools, 1,103 are located in Bengaluru North and South, while the remaining 2,897 schools span 33 educational districts across the state.

Officials have been directed to begin English medium classes by leveraging locally available resources to ensure smooth implementation.