Dharwad: In a powerful show of resistance against the state govt’s move to shut down 6,200 govt schools on the pretext of merging them, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), Karnataka state committee, has successfully completed its historic 50 lakh signature campaign.Launched with the call to ‘Save and Strengthen Govt Schools’, the campaign has emerged as one of the largest student-led movements in the history of the state, said AIDSO district secretary Shashikala Meti.Over 3,000 student volunteers participated in the campaign across various districts, and more than 20 protest meetings were organised, with the active participation of parents and students.“Across Karnataka, more than 50,000 volunteers took part, with parents, students, and local residents coming together to hold hundreds of protest gatherings. In many districts, the authorities were compelled to improve infrastructure in many schools. Additionally, the campaign has gained the backing of teachers, headmasters, and education experts throughout the state. The campaign spanned over 150 taluks in 30 districts, engaging students from more than 1,000 educational institutions,” said Shashikala Meti. The collected signatures will be formally submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah at Freedom Park in Bengaluru at 11am on Aug 21. Thousands of students, parents, teachers, and public education advocaters are expected to participate.
