Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Karnataka Schools Stay Open August 13 as Bandh Advisory Withdrawn
Kids in Karnataka will still go to school on Thursday even though some people are staying home to protest.
A group called KAMS, which helps run many schools, first said schools should close, then changed its mind.
It did not want students to miss lessons that would be hard to make up, because some schools already do not have enough teachers.
The protest is about a big river called the Cauvery that flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
A committee told Karnataka to send a large amount of the river's water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Some people in Karnataka do not agree with that decision, so they called for a statewide shutdown.
To show support without missing school, teachers and staff can wear black ribbons.
Students in Classes 5 to 12 can learn about the river dispute during class or assembly.
They might even draw posters or write letters asking for a fair share of the water.
KAMS says all this should stay peaceful and educational, and that no student should be forced to join protests.
Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS) withdrew its advisory to close schools on August 13, so Karnataka schools will remain open during the Cauvery bandh.
KAMS cited the possible loss of academic days, particularly in aided schools dealing with teacher shortages and the extension of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, prompting Kannada organisations to call for a statewide shutdown.
As a symbolic gesture, school managements, teaching and non-teaching staff may wear black ribbons or black strips without disrupting academic activities.
KAMS urged peaceful, non-political educational activities for Classes 5-12 on the Cauvery dispute and appealed for the safety of school buses, students and teachers during the bandh.
- Who
- Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS), the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments, and Kannada organisations that called for the bandh.
- What
- KAMS withdrew its school closure advisory, keeping Karnataka schools open on August 13 during a statewide bandh over a directive to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, following a CWRC directive issued on Tuesday.
- Where
- Karnataka, with the report datelined from Bengaluru.
- Why
- To prevent loss of academic days amid teacher shortages and SIR work, and to turn the dispute into an educational opportunity instead of a shutdown.
Educational Solidarity
Protest Solidarity
School closure on bandh day
Educational Solidarity
KAMS withdrew its closure advisory, saying keeping schools open while educating students about Karnataka's water challenges is a more meaningful and responsible form of solidarity.
Protest Solidarity
Kannada organisations called for a statewide shutdown on August 13 to protest the CWRC directive to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu.
- Bandh date
- August 13 (Thursday)
- School status
- Open
- Bandh called by
- Kannada organisations
- CWRC directive
- Release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days
- Symbolic gesture
- Black ribbon or black strip worn by staff
- Educational activity
- Classes 5-12 to get factual information on the Cauvery dispute during assembly or class period
- Student suggestions
- Posters or letters to the Supreme Court or tribunal seeking fair water distribution
- Reason for withdrawal
- Avoid academic loss due to SIR work and teacher shortages
