MP students, teachers protest school mergers, one school one campus move

Bhopal: Scores of students, teachers and parents from 36 districts converged at Neelam Park on Sunday to protest the state government’s move to close and merge government schools across Madhya Pradesh.The gathering, convened by the School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (Save Schools Struggle Committee), demanded an immediate halt to school closures and called for urgent improvements in public education infrastructure.Speakers at the conference criticised schemes such as closures, mergers and the “One School–One Campus” initiative, arguing these policies amount to a stealthy shutdown of government schools. They urged authorities to prioritise upgrading existing facilities over consolidation, and to release funds without delay for repair of dilapidated buildings.Protesters listed specific demands: immediate suspension of the school closure process; prompt allocation of funds for building repairs; provision of basic amenities including water, toilets and electricity; hiring of adequate teaching staff rather than reducing personnel; and reforms to ensure a fair, transparent examination system.Organisers warned that continued closures would undermine access to education in rural and marginalised areas and vowed to intensify their campaign if the government failed to address their concerns.