The Karnataka CM’s residence witnessed protests on Monday by students who had come from as far as Chitradurga district, more than 200 km away. Their demand is to stop the relocation of their school from Alaghatta to Bharamasagara, which is more than 10 km away.
Around 30 students were accompanied by parents and gram panchayat officials for the dharna.
As soon as he stepped out of his residence at around 10am, the CM was met with chants of “CM Sir, CM Sir”. The CM then met the students and acknowledged their complaint, assuring that their demand will be looked into.
"Please give me one week's time," he told the students.
According to reports, the ones accompanying the students told the chief minister that the apathy of the local administration led them to travel so far to get heard. Following this, the CM reportedly reprimanded the education department officials for causing inconvenience to the students. The protestors left shortly after an assurance from the CM.
However, Philomina Lobo, Director (Secondary Education), Department of Public Instruction, told TNM, “It was decided to shut the school as there are only close to 40 students in the school and there was lack of improvement in the school's amenities over the year.”
She added that this does not mean that the students have to travel only to the relocated school, as there will be other schools nearby.
The Block Education Officer Nagabhushan, claimed no student will be inconvenienced as there is another government school in the same village.
He claimed, "We have decided to shift the school due to a government decision, under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. This decision was purely due to lack of students, and a lack of infrastructure. The school had very dilapidated buildings, due to its age. There were only 33 students and eight teachers at the school. There should be a minimum of 50 for a school to be kept in the district.”
He added, “The students concerned can go to other schools in the area, they will not be negatively impacted.”
He mentioned about SKBR High School (government-aided) working out of the same village, which is half a kilometre away from the Alaghatta Primary School.