Residents of Sitnoor village in Kalaburagi taluk protested on Wednesday against the planned closure of two government schools. The Government Lower Urdu Primary School and Government Higher Primary School face shutdown under the State’s magnet school scheme. The protest was led by the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO). Parents and students raised slogans against what they called an "anti-people education policy" of the Congress government. AIDSO district vice-president Preeti Doddmani said the government plans to convert schools in 5,900 gram panchayats into Karnataka Public Schools. "This move will effectively kill all other government schools within a 5-km radius of these magnet schools," she said. Ms. Doddmani cited government data showing nearly 17 lakh students dropped out over the last 15 years. She warned the new scheme could push lakhs of children from farming and working-class families out of schools. Despite public opposition, the Congress government has started building magnet schools in the Kalyana Karnataka region. She criticized that funds meant for developing this backward region are being used to close existing schools. She stressed that farmers, labourers, and daily wage workers rely on nearby government schools. "If these schools are closed, what will happen to those children? Parents and villagers must come together to save our schools," she said. Ms. Doddmani also criticized both Congress and BJP. "One party practises appeasement politics while the other spreads hatred. But both are together when it comes to shutting down government schools," she said. The protesters demanded the State government immediately stop plans to close government schools under the magnet school scheme and ensure accessible public education for all children.