📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bobthewild1996
Education
Students, teachers, parents from 36 districts protest in Bhopal to keep government schools open
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 23 Aug 2026, 08:36 PM
👁 1
Around a thousand students, teachers and parents gathered at Neelam Park, Bhopal, demanding that the state stop shutting down government schools.
A large crowd of students, teachers and parents representing 36 districts assembled at Neelam Park in Bhopal on Saturday. The gathering was organized to oppose recent moves by the Madhya Pradesh education department to close several government schools deemed under‑utilised.
Protesters called for immediate repair of dilapidated school buildings, the provision of basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets, and the recruitment of additional teaching staff to address chronic shortages. They argued that closures would deprive vulnerable children of free education and increase dropout rates.
State officials have cited low enrollment and budget constraints as reasons for the proposed shutdowns. The demonstrators urged the government to explore alternative solutions, such as merging schools or improving infrastructure, rather than outright closure.
The protest remained peaceful, with participants holding placards and chanting slogans in Hindi and English. Local authorities monitored the rally but did not intervene, indicating a willingness to engage with the concerns raised.
The education department has promised to review the demands and meet representatives of the protest groups in the coming days, though no concrete timeline has been announced yet.
Protesters called for immediate repair of dilapidated school buildings, the provision of basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets, and the recruitment of additional teaching staff to address chronic shortages. They argued that closures would deprive vulnerable children of free education and increase dropout rates.
State officials have cited low enrollment and budget constraints as reasons for the proposed shutdowns. The demonstrators urged the government to explore alternative solutions, such as merging schools or improving infrastructure, rather than outright closure.
The protest remained peaceful, with participants holding placards and chanting slogans in Hindi and English. Local authorities monitored the rally but did not intervene, indicating a willingness to engage with the concerns raised.
The education department has promised to review the demands and meet representatives of the protest groups in the coming days, though no concrete timeline has been announced yet.