Villagers protest against closure of government school

Talwai villagers in Dharwad district held a protest led by the All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO) on February 9, opposing the proposed closure of government schools for over 75s.

Addressing the protesters on February 9, AIDSO district secretary Shashikala Meti said that the State government had closed thousands of schools under the KPS Magnet School scheme. He said Talwai school, which currently has 77 students enrolled, is proposed to be merged with the Government Senior Boys Model School in Hebballi, terming the move as unfair to the children of poor farmers and workers.

He said six schools, including those in Vanahalli, Talwai, Maradagi, Hebballi and Shivalli, were proposed to be merged with Hebballi magnet school and claimed that more than 500 schools have been closed in Dharwad district alone. He also criticized the government for allegedly transferring the burden of transportation to school development and monitoring committees and paving the way for private education.

Local resident Basavaraj Bangari said there was no justification for closing village schools, which were a ray of hope for poor families. He said the lack of proper bus services would make it difficult for children to travel to distant schools, as most parents work in the fields and return in the evenings.

Villagers warned that they would intensify their unrest if the government continued the closure. District chairman Sindhu Kaudi and many villagers and parents attended the protest.