The Social Welfare Department of Karnataka has announced that orphan children will receive free education at the state’s residential schools starting from the academic year 2025-26. This initiative includes schools like the Morarji Desai Residential Schools, managed by the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KRIES).
An official order was issued by the department on February 12, stating that local authorities and KRIES are to directly admit orphan children into class 6, bypassing any entrance tests.
This move builds on the recent decision by the state government to provide free education to children orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the department has expanded this effort to include all orphan children across the state.
“We believe that a truly equal society can only be achieved through equal access to education. That’s why we have decided to enroll all orphan children in our residential schools, starting directly from class 6,” said H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister of Social Welfare.
According to another official, orphans are vulnerable to exploitation, including being forced into begging or other illegal activities. These children are also at risk of child labor and early marriage. The official explained that providing them with education in residential schools is a key measure to protect them.
Karnataka currently operates 817 residential schools under the department, with 41,500 seats available for class 6. Half of these seats are filled through entrance exams conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), while the other half are reserved for students from special categories, such as children of manual scavengers and devadasis. Starting from 2025-26, orphan children will also be admitted to class 6 without the need for an entrance test.
KRIES has contacted all gram panchayats, urban local bodies, and the Women and Child Development and Labour departments to identify orphan children who meet the age criteria and ensure their enrollment in residential schools.
“We are working with local bodies and other departments to identify orphan children at the grassroots level and facilitate their admission,” a KRIES official said.
