The Shivamogga district unit of All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has alleged that the State government is planning to close thousands of schools in the name of opening new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) as part of the Magnet School Scheme.
In a press conference at Shivamogga on December 3, Vinay Chandra, district coordinator, said the School Education Department had prepared a list of schools to be closed. Among them are 1,518 schools of Shivamogga district. “Gradually, in place of 46,000 schools, only 6,000 KPS will function in the State. The idea is to close 40,000 schools across the State. The list of schools selected for closure have strengths of up to 500. Where is the need to close such schools?” he questioned.
He recalled that Madhu Bangarappa, School Education Minister, had stated that he would not close even one school in the State. However, in reality, the process to close schools had begun. Under the pilot project, the school at Honganur in Channapatna taluk of Bengaluru South had been identified as a KPS Magnet school. The government had already decided to merge six schools with KPS. “The schools chosen have strengths varying from 20 to 100. The government wants to implement the same model across the State,” he alleged.
The AIDSO, the coordinator said, will fight against the closure of schools and involve parents and villagers in the movement.
Published – December 03, 2025 06:42 pm IST
