BENGALURU: Opposing the establishment of Karnataka Public (Magnet) Schools by closing government schools within a 5-6 km radius of KPS schools, All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) organised a state-level convention on April 10 in Freedom Park in Bengaluru.
Hundreds of protesters, including parents, children, Kannada authors, educationists and AIDSO activists gathered at the convention to oppose the move.
Kannada writer K Marulasiddappa said, “The Congress government has snatched away the people’s right to education and handed out guarantee schemes instead. All governments ruling us have consistently protected the interests of wealthy businessmen while neglecting the poor. By snatching away people’s right to education, healthcare and employment, the government is attempting to silence them with their guarantee schemes. Let us unite to fight for our neighbourhood schools against a government that fails to understand their importance.”
Meanwhile, Dr VP Niranjanaradhya, a developmental educationist, stated, “In its election manifesto, Congress promised to completely reject NEP-2020 and strengthen education by introducing SEP (State Education Policy). However, it is shameful that it has undemocratically implemented the KPS Magnet Scheme, which is similar to the cluster school scheme stated in NEP.”
Siddharth Rath, AIDSO All India Council joint secretary, said, “There is a nationwide conspiracy to systematically close government schools under various names, crushing the dreams of poor children. The merger of 14,379 schools in Odisha is a fresh example. This is not just an educational injustice but a horrific attack on our culture. Whenever the ruling class tries to suppress the working class, organized struggle has always triumphed. This fight against the KPS Magnet Scheme will achieve a historic victory.”
A state-level Save Public Education Committee was formed during the convention to save neighbourhood schools from closing down. Chaired by former vice-chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, A Murigeppa, it includes renowned educationists, writers, social activists and parents from across the state.