Students and parents gathered at the Shahapur panchayat samiti on Wednesday to protest the alleged move to close or merge government schools, demanding immediate improvements in basic facilities, teacher appointments and school safety.
The protest was led by the Students’ Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India. Participants questioned the administration over what they described as the deteriorating condition of government schools and the policy of considering closure or merger instead of improving facilities.
According to the organisations involved, several government schools in the area face shortages of teachers. They also alleged that some school buildings are in a dangerous condition and that basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets are unavailable in school buildings. The report did not include a response from the Shahapur panchayat samiti or the education administration to these allegations.
The protesters objected to the use of low student enrolment as a reason to close or merge schools. They argued that a decline in enrolment should first be examined for its underlying causes rather than treated as sufficient grounds to withdraw or consolidate public education facilities.
Their demands included an immediate halt to the process of closing or merging government schools and an independent review of every school before any decision is taken. The groups also sought regular teacher appointments, safe school buildings, drinking water, clean toilets and improvements to the quality of education available to students.
The protesters further demanded nutritious meals for students and special financial support for schools in tribal and remote areas. They said that better infrastructure, adequate staffing and a safe learning environment could help improve enrolment in government schools.
The action places the condition of government-school infrastructure and the administration of low-enrolment schools at the centre of a local dispute in Shahapur. The next steps will depend on the response of the panchayat samiti and education authorities to the demands raised during the protest.
