Senior writer and activist Allamaprabhu Bettadur addressed the zonal convention held on Saturday (March 14) at Dr. SM Pandit Rangamandira in Kalaburagi. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Educators, activists and student organizations have opposed the state government’s move to set up Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) magnet schools, which they say would lead to the closure or merger of several government schools in rural areas.
The question was raised at a zonal convention called “Save our local schools” which took place on Saturday (March 14) at Dr. SM Pandit Rangamandira at Kalaburagi organized student organizations and committees for the protection of public education from various districts across Kalyana Karnataka.
Senior writer and activist Allamaprabhu Bettadur said government schools should exist in every dwelling to ensure access to education for all children. Criticizing the proposal to merge village schools with larger institutions, he cited the example of a school in Hirebaganal in Koppal district that could be merged with another school in Hitnal.
He questioned how students from rural areas could travel long distances to attend such schools and who would bear the cost of transportation. “Centralizing education in this way goes against the principles of democratic and accessible education,” he said, calling for continued public opposition to the policy.
Speakers at the meeting also alleged that funds allocated to the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) for the development of the region were being diverted to set up KPS magnet schools, which will lead to the closure of many government schools in rural areas.
Ashwini KS, state president of the students’ organization, said that the use of KKRDB funds to close government schools was tantamount to betrayal of the people of Kalyana Karnataka. According to her, the magnet school initiative could deprive children from economically weaker sections of their right to a free education. She also called for large-scale participation in the state-level convention scheduled for April 8.
Malipatil, a farmer leader and honorary president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Chamarasa, said the government should strengthen government schools rather than merging or closing them. He called on people to organize protests in every village against the magnet school proposal.
Veteran social activist Raghavendra Kushtagi said the issue has the potential to grow into a major public movement. He argued that the policy will disproportionately affect the Kalyana region of Karnataka, where a large number of socially and economically disadvantaged communities depend on government schools.
Educationist Chandra Girish said that despite poor infrastructure, students from rural government schools often score well in SSLC examinations. He warned that closing such schools would create conditions that would encourage the expansion of private schools and make education inaccessible to the children of agricultural workers and other low-income families.
The meeting was attended by education experts, social activists and representatives of several organizations from districts including Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara.
Published – 14 March 2026 18:58 IST
