Bengaluru, September 6, 2026: The Karnataka government is set to introduce a dedicated Spoken English training programme in 1,919 government schools during the 2026–27 academic year. The initiative is aimed at improving students’ English-speaking ability, communication skills and confidence, particularly among children studying in government schools.

The programme has received an allocation of ₹19.67 crore and will be implemented under the state’s education initiatives. Guest teachers will be appointed to conduct the specialised Spoken English sessions.

Classes for Students From Classes 1 to 10

The programme will cover students from Classes 1 to 10 in selected schools. The initiative is being introduced in Karnataka Public Schools (KPS), PM SHRI KPS schools, their affiliated schools and selected bilingual-medium government schools.

Reports indicate that the programme will run for six months, from September 2026 to February 2027. Students will receive age-appropriate training focusing on practical use of English rather than learning the language solely as an academic subject.

1,919 Schools Selected Across Karnataka

The 1,919 schools selected for the initiative include:

• 601 bilingual-medium schools
• 550 PM SHRI KPS schools
• 463 KPS schools under the ADB project
• 305 Karnataka Public Schools

The programme is designed to expand opportunities for students to practise English in classroom and everyday communication settings.

Focus on Speaking, Pronunciation and Vocabulary

The training will focus on practical communication skills, including speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary and sentence construction. Students will be grouped according to their learning levels, with separate training approaches for Classes 1–3, Classes 4–7 and Classes 8–10.

The objective is to help students communicate using simple English words and sentences both inside and outside school, while gradually building confidence in spoken communication.

Guest Teachers to Conduct Special Classes

The state government plans to appoint guest teachers at the school level through School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs).

According to reports, eligible candidates include those aged 25 to 55 years with a bachelor’s degree in Arts with English as a subject or a postgraduate degree in English. Selected guest teachers will receive an honorarium of ₹12,000 per month.

₹19.67 Crore Allocated for the Programme

The Karnataka government has earmarked ₹19.67 crore for implementing the Spoken English initiative. The funding is intended to support the programme, including the engagement of guest teachers and associated activities.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa has said that simply learning English as a school subject is not enough and that students also need opportunities to speak the language confidently in order to meet the demands of a changing and increasingly globalised environment.

Part of Karnataka’s Wider English-Learning Push

The new programme comes alongside Karnataka’s broader efforts to strengthen English-language learning in government schools.

The state has been expanding bilingual education and English-language initiatives, including teacher training and programmes aimed at improving students’ access to English instruction. Karnataka’s 2026–27 education plans also include measures to strengthen bilingual teaching in government schools.

The latest Spoken English initiative places greater emphasis on actual communication and conversational ability, rather than only reading and writing English for examinations.

What This Means for Students

For students in participating government schools, the programme could provide additional opportunities to practise English regularly with trained instructors. Improved communication skills may also benefit students as they progress to higher education, vocational training and employment.

The initiative is particularly significant for students who may have limited opportunities to use spoken English outside the classroom.

Key Highlights

• Schools covered: 1,919 government schools
• Classes: 1 to 10
• Programme period: September 2026 to February 2027
• Government allocation: ₹19.67 crore
• Teaching model: Special Spoken English classes
• Teachers: Guest teachers appointed through SDMCs
• Main focus: Speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary and sentence construction
• Target: Greater English communication skills and confidence among government-school students

The Karnataka government’s Spoken English programme represents a significant effort to make English communication more accessible to students in government schools. If implemented effectively, the initiative could help bridge language-skill gaps and give thousands of students greater confidence in their academic and professional journeys.