The Kannada Development Authority (KDA), led by chairperson Purushottam Bilimale, has submitted a report to Madhu Bangarappa, the Minister for School Education and Literacy in Karnataka, regarding the preservation of government schools that have been in existence for over a century. The report identifies 3,139 schools across the state that have surpassed this age milestone and recommends that each be designated as a 'heritage school with historical importance.' The KDA advocates for developing at least one such school at the hobli level into a special institution that offers a curriculum beyond textbooks, including lessons in music, dance, and sports, to serve as a skill development center. The authority also urges the government to conduct a detailed study on these schools at the district level, questioning why educational institutions should not be considered part of the state's heritage alongside temples and forts. Despite a 2019 circular aimed at publishing a book and creating a video on century-old schools, these initiatives have not materialized. The KDA has expressed concern over the decline in enrollment at government schools, attributing it to the establishment of private schools without proper studies and highlighting that many schools are facing closure due to low admission rates.