Bangalore: Right to Education (RTE) Act will be fully implemented in Karnataka by next year, Education Minister Visveswara Hegde Kageri informed the state Assembly today.

Replying to a discussion on implementation of the RTE Act in the state, he said Karnataka was among the top few states which had taken positive initiatives to implement the Act within days after the Supreme Court had given its nod.

He said in this academic year itself over 50,000 students belonging to the weaker sections have been admitted and next year it would be ensure that the Act was fully complied with by all unaided private schools.

The discussion witnessed Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah accusing the government of going soft on certain educational institutions and individuals who had openly criticised the implementation of the Act and had also made derogatory statements.

He said such persons should be strictly punished under the Civil Rights Enforcement Act.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa wanted the government to enhance the quality of education especially in primary and secondary government schools, so that the clamour for rushing to private educational institutions is done away.

He called for appointment of teachers who are graduates so that the IQ level of those who pass out from the government schools match with those who come out of private institutions.

Mr Kageri agreed to a suggestion made by Mr V Srinivasprasad (Congress) who highlighted the need for setting up a separate directorate for the mid day meal scheme in schools.