Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Left-wing groups protest Karnataka's school closure plan
Some student groups are upset with the Karnataka government's plan to close many government schools in rural areas.
They say the government wants to merge these schools into bigger ones called KPS Magnet schools.
The student groups think this is not good because it will make it harder for poor children to go to school.
They also say that the government is not fixing the problems in the current schools, like not having enough teachers or proper buildings.
The government says they are upgrading schools to make them better, but the student groups are worried that this will lead to more private schools and less access to education for poor children.
Left-wing student organisations protested the Karnataka government's plan to close 40,000 government schools and merge them into 6,000 KPS Magnet schools.
The government's plan includes upgrading schools with better infrastructure and introducing vocational training from Class six.
Student groups allege that the plan will force parents to bear transportation costs and lead to privatisation of education.
The government has approved the upgradation of 474 schools with funding from the State Budget, Asian Development Bank, and Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board.
Student organisations argue that the plan reflects an 'anti-education stance' and will create 'human machines' lacking critical thinking.
- Who
- Left-wing student organisations (AISF, SFI, AIDSO, AISA, KVS) and Karnataka government
- What
- Protest against the closure of 40,000 government schools and their merger into 6,000 KPS Magnet schools
- When
- January 21, 2024
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Why
- Government's plan to upgrade and merge schools under the KPS Magnet scheme
- Number of schools to close
- 40,000
- Number of KPS Magnet schools planned
- 6,000
- Number of schools in first phase
- 900
- Funding sources
- State Budget, Asian Development Bank loan, Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board
- Estimated cost per KPS school
- Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore
- Number of vacant teacher posts
- 59,000
- KPS school capacity
- 1,200 students per school