Latest news with #AIDSO
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIDSO stages protest in H.D. Kote, demanding govt. schools in tribal areas
The All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) staged a protest in front of the Block Education Office in H.D. Kote on Monday, urging the State government to safeguard and develop government schools, particularly in tribal settlements (haadis). Leading the protest, AIDSO State treasurer Subhash Bettadakoppa accused the government of systematically undermining public education in favour of privatisation. He alleged that more than 6,200 government schools across the State are being reportedly marked for closure under the pretext of 'low enrolment', even as 473 private schools have been approved in the current academic year alone. 'This is a conspiracy to weaken the government education system,' alleged Mr. Bettadakoppa in a statement here. He further criticised the State's approach to infrastructure development in tribal areas, claiming that permissions for school buildings are routinely denied, while licenses for bars and restaurants are granted without delay. 'In D.B. Kuppe Gram Panchayat alone, four bars have been sanctioned, yet not a single new government school has been permitted,' he claimed. The AIDSO members, who visited government schools in tribal villages including Aane Mala, Goluru, and Balle, claimed that the conditions were alarming. According to their observations, most schools are operating with only two teachers, including the headmaster. The buildings are in a dilapidated state, and basic amenities such as drinking water and proper sanitation are lacking, the statement noted. Despite these issues, the State's Primary and Secondary Education Minister recently attributed the decline in enrolment to parents' growing preference for 'English-medium and private institutions.' Mr. Bettadakoppa criticised this stance, stating, 'Instead of shifting the blame on parents, the government must take responsibility and invest in improving public school infrastructure.' The AIDSO argued that government schools remain the primary educational resource for children of daily wage workers, agricultural labourers, and other economically disadvantaged communities. 'Shutting down these institutions would be an injustice to the underprivileged,' the organisation said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Parents, activists protest outside government school in Station Sawalgi demanding basic facilities
In a demonstration highlighting the deteriorating state of public education infrastructure, parents and activists staged a protest in front of the government lower primary school in Station Sawalgi village, Kalaburagi district, demanding urgent provision of basic facilities to improve the quality of education. Addressing the gathering, Hanumanth S.H., State vice-president of the All-India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), condemned the government for shirking its responsibility to provide free and quality education to every child. 'Education is not merely about academics; it is about instilling values and nurturing good citizens. It is disheartening that the government is neglecting its duty,' he said. He pointed out that Station Sawalgi, located in Kalaburagi taluk, was home to a large number of daily wage labourers and migrant workers. 'Most parents in the village enrol their children in the local government school owing to financial constraints. However, the school lacks clean drinking water, proper toilet facilities, and electricity, and regular classes are often disrupted. As a result, enrollment numbers have been declining every year,' he said. Preeti Doddamani, district vice-president of AIDSO, criticised the State government for failing to provide even the minimum infrastructure and adequate teaching staff in government schools. 'While privatisation of education is being promoted on one hand, basic education is being denied to underprivileged children on the other,' she said, demanding immediate measures from the authorities concerned. Responding to the protest, Vijay Kumar Jamkhandi, Block Education Officer of Kalaburagi South Zone, promised the protesters that steps would be taken to ensure quality education. He promised the provision of clean drinking water and electricity to the school without delay. The key demands put forth by the protesters included assurance of quality education, provision of clean drinking water, restoration of electricity supply, construction of toilets, appointment of subject-specific teachers and introduction of English-medium instruction.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIDSO holds convention to condemn closure of government schools
The All Indian Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) Karnataka State Committee organised a State-level convention on Sunday to condemn the government's decision to close more than 6,000 government schools in the name of Hub and Spoke Model Schools. Many educationists and activists from across the State took part in the convention and provided their suggestions to strengthen government schools. Ajay Kamath, State Secretary, AIDSO, addressed the gathering and said, 'We need to know who benefits from the closure of government schools. Private schools are taking advantage of the fear of parents about the future of their children due to the lack of basic facilities in government schools. The governments are abetting this. For the benefit of a few, government schools are collapsing. A family is spending 82% of their household income on their education and health. The dreams of our great freedom fighters, Netaji and Bhagat Singh, have not been fulfilled. As they expressed their concern, the independence of our country has gone to the rich. In this situation, education is not available to the common people.'
