The Karnataka government has launched “Namma Shaale Namma Javabdari” (Our School, Our Responsibility), a programme that asks private school managements and companies to adopt rural government schools or help develop them under the state’s new CSR policy. The state has set an initial target of 1,000 schools, with a wider plan to cover 2,000.

At the launch on Wednesday, 4 November, officials said 15 MoUs worth ₹206.10 crore were signed to develop 56 schools. Earlier in 2026, 18 MoUs worth ₹85 crore were signed for 33 schools, and 12 more worth ₹64 crore for 23 schools are in the final stages of signing.

The government says contributions can match each partner’s capacity. Those who cannot fund new buildings can send expert teachers to government schools and pay their salaries, or provide laboratory equipment and computers. Private schools were also asked to lend their buses to government school students instead of selling them. The state described the approach as a knowledge exchange between private and rural schools.

Partners can choose which schools to adopt and, in return, may add their name to the school. The government cited a school in Hegganur being named after Toyota, which it said is supporting the construction of 23 schools in Ramanagara district at ₹10 to ₹15 crore each. According to the state, CSR-funded work has begun in 30 schools in Bengaluru South district.

To guide the rollout, the state has divided its 6,000 panchayats into three categories. It expects results over four to five years, and said reaching 1,000 schools within the next two to three years would be a historic achievement for the country. The stated aim is that every rural child should be able to compete globally, with children from rural and private schools brought closer together.

The government also said it has raised the CSR question with the Centre, asking it to curb the practice of companies registering in Karnataka but spending their CSR money elsewhere.

The drive comes as education remains the largest CSR sector nationally. Companies spent ₹13,877 crore on education in 2024-25, about 34% of total CSR spending of ₹40,794 crore, according to Ministry of Corporate Affairs data tabled in Lok Sabha in July 2026.

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