Mass Protest in Chikkamagaluru Against Closure of 40,000 Government Schools Under KPS Magnet Scheme
In a significant demonstration of public dissent, members of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) and concerned parents staged a vigorous protest at Azaf Park in Chikkamagaluru on Friday. The protest was directed against the planned closure of government schools under the controversial KPS Magnet scheme, which activists claim will severely impact educational access for underprivileged students across Karnataka.
Allegations of Systematic School Closures
AIDSO state unit president Ashwini KS delivered a powerful address during the protest, drawing historical parallels to emphasize the gravity of the situation. "Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule dedicated their entire lives to establishing schools for the marginalized," she stated. "The previous BJP government attempted to close 13,800 government schools under the guise of 'merging' them. Through statewide struggle, we managed to save those institutions. Now, the Congress government is poised to close a staggering 40,000 schools through the KPS Magnet scheme."
Ashwini expressed deep concern about what she perceives as a consistent governmental agenda. "Ultimately, it appears the goal of all governments is to systematically dismantle state-run schools, thereby snatching education away from poor students who depend on these institutions," she alleged.
Questioning Financial Decisions and Educational Policy
The AIDSO leader raised serious questions about the financial underpinnings of the KPS Magnet scheme. She revealed that the government plans to open these schools using a substantial loan of Rs 2,500 crore from the Asian Development Bank. "Is the government in such a dire financial state that it must operate schools on loans from private or international banks?" she questioned. "Are the taxes paid by citizens not sufficient to fund our educational system?"
Ashwini further alleged that the scheme represents a covert attempt at privatization through outsourcing of government schools. She emphasized that this approach directly violates the Right to Education Act, which mandates that a primary school must be available within a one-kilometer radius of every child's residence.
Invoking the legacy of Indian revolutionaries, she remarked, "The vision of great leaders like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was that people should question injustice. Ironically, today's governments are taking away the very education that fosters such a questioning mindset among citizens."
Local Impact and Practical Concerns
AIDSO state treasurer Subhash Bettadakappa provided specific details about the scheme's impact on Chikkamagaluru district. He disclosed that 15 Magnet schools have been selected in the district, while over 150 existing schools face closure under the pretext of merging.
Bettadakappa highlighted the practical challenges posed by the region's geography. "The district's hilly terrain and poorly maintained roads make walking extremely difficult in many villages," he explained. "How can the government realistically provide adequate bus facilities in such challenging topography?"
He drew attention to the socioeconomic profile of affected families, noting that most parents in the area work as laborers on coffee estates. Many villages are adjacent to forests, creating additional safety concerns. "Under these circumstances, how can parents trust the government and send their children kilometers away to another village?" he asked. "Who will be responsible if something happens to those children during their commute? Is the government prepared to take that responsibility?"
Systemic Neglect and Infrastructure Issues
Bettadakappa accused the government of closing schools "through the back door" by deliberately neglecting infrastructure. He presented alarming statistics to support this claim:
- 62,000 vacant teacher posts across the state
- Over 7,000 schools operating with only a single teacher
- More than 23,000 school buildings requiring urgent repairs
These figures, he argued, demonstrate a pattern of systematic underfunding and neglect that makes school closures inevitable.
Broad-Based Support for the Protest
The protest garnered support from various community organizations. In addition to AIDSO leaders Chaitra and Shusma, representatives from the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi including Lakshman and Harish participated actively. Villagers Chetan and Yogesh joined the demonstration, along with leaders from farmer and Dalit organizations, indicating widespread community concern about the educational implications of the KPS Magnet scheme.
The protest in Chikkamagaluru represents a growing resistance movement against educational policies that activists believe will disproportionately affect vulnerable student populations. As the debate over the KPS Magnet scheme intensifies, stakeholders continue to demand greater transparency and reconsideration of the government's approach to school consolidation and educational access in Karnataka.
