A protest erupted in Budarasingi village on the outskirts of Hubballi as the Government Kannada Higher Primary School is being shut down under the KPS (Kannada Primary School) scheme. Led by the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), students, parents, youth, and local residents gathered on Wednesday to voice their opposition.
Allegations of Privatization
Sharanabasava Gonawar, vice president of the district committee for saving public education, addressed the protest, claiming that the Budarasingi school is being merged with a KPS school in Adaragunchi. He stated, "Great leaders like Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule fought so that children from poor communities could receive education within their own localities. Today, the government is closing such schools and making poor children travel far for education. In the name of providing quality education to poor children, the government has started KPS schools, whose real intention is to shut down thousands of government schools in villages."
Handover to Private Companies
Gonawar further alleged that while village schools are being closed, KPS schools are being handed over to private companies. "Through this, the government is pushing for complete privatization of public education, making education accessible only to those who can afford it. People must unite and fight against this harmful KPS Magnet scheme," he urged.
Impact on Rural Children
Manjunath Katagi, president of the save public education committee in Budarasingi, highlighted the difficulties faced by rural children. "Under the KPS Magnet scheme, the government has decided to shut village schools within a 5 km radius, which is a betrayal for rural children. Our children cannot travel 4 km to the KPS school in Adaragunchi. This is a backward region where most people depend on daily wage labour. If the village school is shut, our children may be forced to drop out," he said.
Safety Concerns
Ganga J Hukkinkeri, vice president of the committee, warned about the dangers of the proposed merger. "Our village has only one school. If it is shut, we will have to send our children to Adaragunchi, and they will have to cross a national highway to reach the school. If anything happens to them, will the government take responsibility? Under no circumstances will we allow our schools to be shut, even if it costs us our lives," she warned.
Committees Formed to Continue Struggle
Committees were formed to sustain the fight to save village schools. Villagers decided to intensify the agitation until the government withdraws its decision. Mulla Saab Saidannavar, Hina Kausar M Saidannavar, Anjuma H Mundinamani, Shekappa Jagalur, Subhas Jagalur, and other villagers were present at the protest.
