Villagers protest move to shut Sindholi school under KPS scheme

Belagavi: Villagers of Sindholi staged a protest in front of their village school on Monday, demanding that the institution, slated for closure under the KPS Magnet Scheme, be saved. The protesters put up a banner reading ‘Our village school is our jewel’ and vowed not to allow its closure under any circumstances. Mothers holding portraits of social reformers such as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar expressed strong opposition to the decision.

Parents and students, led by activists of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) and Save Public Education, raised slogans against the govt’s move to shut down Sindholi Govt School in Belagavi taluk and merge it with Mastmaradi School.

Speaking on the occasion, Rama Nagannavar, a parent, said they were daily wage earners who left early for work. “If there is a school in our village, children can attend classes and return home safely by evening. If the school is closed and children are sent elsewhere, who will ensure their safety?” she asked, urging the govt to withdraw the decision.

Another villager, Laxmi Karegar, expressed concern over the safety of girls. “With rising incidents of violence, we cannot send our daughters to another village. We are working-class people and cannot afford private education. Shutting the school is an injustice,” she said.

Mahantesh Bilur, district coordinator of AIDSO, alleged that KPS schools were part of a move to commercialise education and hand over management to private players. He termed it an “unforgivable crime against the people”.

Villagers submitted a petition to Nilji gram panchayat president Satish Shapurkar. Receiving it, Satish said closing govt schools was unjust and assured that the villagers’ concerns would be conveyed to the education department and the state govt.

Several villagers, including Shantha Shapurkar, Shantha Tippannagol, Bharamavva Shapurkar, Laxmi Shapurkar, Balavva Agasimani, Malingaraya Tippannagol and Bhavakanna Kanabarakar, along with parents and students, participated in the protest.