Closing government schools a threat to democracy, speakers warn at AIDSO conference

The 13th District Students’ Conference of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), held here on Friday, strongly opposed the State government’s move to close thousands of government schools under the proposed KPS Magnet School scheme. The event was dedicated the 135th death anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule.

Inaugurating the conference, Kiran Gajanur, assistant professor from Central University of Karnataka (CUK), said that the future of Indian democracy depended on the survival and strengthening of public education. “To protect government schools is to protect democracy itself. Today’s economic policies treat citizens as mere consumers. When education is viewed as a commodity, it inevitably becomes a business,” he cautioned.

He said closing government schools and promoting private institutions was a direct attack on the democratic ethos envisioned by reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. “Those who run elite English-medium schools are the very ones shutting down government Kannada schools. Closing or merging government schools is nothing short of betrayal of the democratic system,” he said.

AIDSO State president K.S. Ashwini recalled that students had earlier thwarted an attempt to shut government schools by collecting 50 lakh signatures statewide. “Now, under the banner of 6,000 KPS Magnet Schools, the government is preparing to shut nearly 40,000 government schools. Inspired by the values upheld by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, students must once again prepare for a united struggle,” he said.

AIDSO State secretary Ajay Kamath inaugurated the convention by hoisting the red flag.

State vice-president Abhay Diwakar said Kalaburagi alone had 21,000 vacant teaching posts and many government school buildings were on the verge of collapse.

State treasurer Subhash B.J., addressing an open session, urged students to build a strong resistance movement against attempts to dismantle public education through the Magnet School project.

During the convention, the new Namma Kalaburagi District Council of AIDSO was elected, with Tulajarama N.K. chosen as president and Preeti Doddmani, Govinda Yelawar and Nagaraj Ravoor elected as vice-presidents. Venkatesh Devadurga will serve as district secretary, while Spoorthi Gurjalkar takes charge as treasurer. The team of joint secretaries comprises Devaraj, Siddharth, Ajay, Babu, Yuvaraj, Rahul and Sampath.