Opposition to the KPS (Karnataka Public School) Magnet School scheme reached Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s constituency on January 10, with parents, students and activists staging a protest in Varuna village near here and declaring that they will not allow the closure of a single government school in the region.
The Varuna hobli-level protest convention, organised by the Save Public Education Committee at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan, drew residents from Chatnahalli, Chatnahalli Palya, Chatnahalli-1 (Puttegowdanahundi), Badagalahundi, Kempegowdanahundi, Hosahundi, Moodalahundi, and Hallikerehundi villages.
Varuna falls under the constituency represented by the Chief Minister. Raising slogans, parents and students expressed their opposition to the KPS Magnet Scheme announced by the State government.
Delivering the keynote address, All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) State vice-president Chandrakala accused both the Congress and BJP of not voicing against the scheme. “This movement goes beyond party politics, caste, and religion. We will fight unitedly until the government issues an order stating that no government school will be closed,” she said, announcing that Save Government School committees will be formed across villages in the State.
