AIDSO campaigns against magnet school plan calling for State-level rally

The Vijayanagara district committee of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) intensified its campaign against the State government’s proposed KPS magnet school scheme saying that it will lead to the closure of thousands of government schools.

As part of the mobilisation drive, AIDSO members carried out a campaign at Anand Singh College in Hosapete urging students, parents and the public to participate in a State-level convention scheduled to be held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday.

Addressing the gathering, AIDSO district president Ravikiran J.P. said that protests against the proposed closure and merger of nearly 40,000 government schools have been going on for the past four months.

He said that parents and villagers across the State have formed committees to protect public education and are opposing any move to shut down neighbourhood schools.

“There is widespread opposition to the State government’s decision, which, if implemented, will deprive poor children of access to education,” he said and added that several noted writers, educationists and activists have also criticised the policy.

He said that despite resistance, the State government has continued with preparatory steps, including mapping of schools for merger and conducting surveys for the implementation of magnet schools.

“Instructions have reportedly been issued to school authorities to persuade parents during meetings scheduled on Thursday and Friday to enroll their children in Karnataka Public Schools from the next academic year,” he said.

AIDSO Vijayanagara district secretary U. Umadevi termed the move “anti-people and authoritarian” and called for intensification of agitation against it.

“Thousands of students, parents, women, youth, farmers and workers from across the State are expected to participate in the Bengaluru rally under the slogan, Save our neighbourhood schools.

Several prominent writers, educationists and activists, including Hampa Nagarajaiah, K. Marulasiddappa, S.G. Siddaramaiah, and others are expected to take part in the convention, the organisers said.