Bengaluru: Nali-Kali system, the activity-based, child-centred approach used in primary classes in govt schools, is being phased out, with over 25,000 schools set to get single-grade classrooms next year. The system was under fire for not being implemented effectively, resulting in poor learning outcomes.As per a circular from the school education department calling for textbook intent, 25,014 schools will have single-grade classes from 2026-27. This includes Karnataka Public Schools, PM Shri schools, schools with kindergarten and Comprehensive Environment Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ)-funded schools. The other 16,762 institutions will continue to have Nali-Kali system.
TOI had reported in July 2025 that Nali-Kali will be phased out. The system is expected to be replaced completely in two years.On Tuesday, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) submitted a report, prepared by its chairman Purushottama Bilimale, to the govt on Nali-Kali. The report said although the concept of the project is good and it could be continued, it hadn’t achieved success even after 30 years of implementation.The report pointed out various faults with the system. When trained teachers retired, guest teachers appointed did not receive proper training and thus couldn’t hold classes effectively. In classes with a large number of students, teachers were not able to pay equal attention to all. Also, learning materials were not adequately supplied to many schools. Many classrooms in rural areas were in a dilapidated state, making it impossible for children to learn while sitting on the floor or walking around in rainy season, the report said.Karnataka State Primary School Teachers’ Association welcomed the govt’s decision to phase out Nali-Kali system.QuoteThe system could work perfectly fine in a Scandinavian country, with a limited number of students and supported by well-educated parents, but not in govt schools of Karnataka. Here, teachers were not able to handle multi-grade classrooms. Many a time, a class 3 student would act as a nanny to the teacher to help her/him with smaller children instead of getting age-appropriate teaching himself— An educationist
