Mangaluru: Schools in Dakshina Kannada are grappling with a severe shortage of art teachers, particularly in rural areas, depriving children of opportunities to learn and excel in the field.Balakrishna Shetty Khanidge, president of the Dakshina Kannada District Art Teachers’ Association, said the state govt has not appointed art teachers since 2008, and vacancies arising from retirements remain unfilled. The shortage has forced many children interested in art to seek guidance outside of schools.“Currently, only 43 teachers serve in govt and aided schools, while private institutions have around 83 of them. Many of those in private schools work part-time across multiple institutions. In the coming years, most teachers in govt and aided schools will retire, leaving no replacements,” he said, adding that Karnataka has around 3,000 art teachers.The National Education Policy 2020 recommends that every school have dedicated art, music and craft teachers, categorised as special teachers. “However, most govt and aided schools lack them. CBSE schools have been more consistent in implementing the policy,” he noted.Students in rural areas are often deprived of the opportunity to learn art, as they frequently lack access to private tutors and cannot afford additional fees. “Those interested in art must rely on private teachers by paying from their own pockets. This, however, is feasible only in urban areas, and students from rural areas seldom have such access. Every year, the number of candidates appearing for the Drawing Grade Exam has been increasing, but most of those candidates depend on teachers outside their schools,” said an art teacher.
