Confirmed: Bangalore schools to be closed on September 26 due to the Cauvery row bandh

Following the educational disruption caused by the Bangalore strike 13 days back, schools will once again experience closures, this time on Wednesday, September 26th, due the strike called by many organizations against the state government's decision on Cauvery water.

However, this time the impact may extend beyond Bangalore, affecting schools throughout the entire state because other districts also feeling the heat. The consequences will include postponed exams, a reduction in study holidays, and a rescheduling of a working day to Saturday.

This is in response to the protest against the release of 5,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to neighboring Tamil Nadu. The widespread protest has been stirred by local Kannada organisations who are voicing their dissent against the decision. The Bandh may potentially impact the functioning of schools and colleges within the city, which are likely to remain closed on that day. However, students and their parents are suggested to wait for an official announcement confirming the same.

Many Schools to decide at the last minute

Even though few schools have declared a holiday tomorrow, many are yet to decide. The WhatsApp and Telegram groups for parents and teachers are flooded with messages inquiring about the status of school on September 26th. Avnash Bhat, a parent of a 5th-grade student at the Bannerghatta Road school in Hulimavu, mentioned that a few teachers have mentioned the bandh, but there hasn't been any confirmation from the administration yet. He added that many parents are posing the same question in the WhatsApp group. For now, the informal information from the school advises everyone to "wait and watch."

Speaking to Careerindia, Shaurya Kulkarni, an IT engineer from JP Nagar, mentioned that his daughter is in the 5th grade. He recalled that last time he received a message from the school on the night of September 10th regarding the holiday on the 11th. Therefore, this time as well, he expects a last-minute message from the school. Well

Options that Schools are thinking about

This time, once again, it's a last-minute decision by the school administration. However, in the event of a complete shutdown, many schools have chosen to reschedule exams for the next available study holiday. For those schools maintaining their regular study schedule, students may need to attend classes on the following Saturday to catch up on the coursework. Well many schools have already planned the online classes on September 26th.

More about the 26th state bandh

Kannada organizations leading the protest have made an appeal to schools, colleges, shopkeepers, owners of various commercial companies, and transporters to support their call for a statewide shutdown. The aim is to amplify the impact of the protest and establish a unanimous stand for their cause. While the bandh might interrupt usual city operations, including educational institutions, no official confirmation regarding closure of schools or colleges has been given so far. Students and parents have been advised to stay in touch with their respective school departments and wait for the official announcement.

Estimated figures suggest that around 10 lakh private vehicles did not ply that day, as the Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations had called for a 'Bangalore Bandh'. Certain schools had declared an unscheduled holiday during the bandh. Students are reminded that the shutdown of schools on September 26 is yet to be confirmed and that they should wait for an official notice before assuming otherwise.

The State Bandh on September 26, 2023 is reflective of the active participation of citizens in issues of local importance. While it may cause temporary disruption in the functioning of the city, such protests enable a democratic dialogue on pressing issues.

The prospective closing down of schools and colleges might affect students' routine, but it also opens up opportunities for discussion and understanding of socio-political issues among them. While staying abreast with updates about the bandh, the students and their parents should also utilize this time to deeply engage with and understand the cause behind it.

53 kannada organization's including BJP, JDS are supporting the bandh. BMTC buses, ola, Uber, auto rickshaw, metro private taxis will not ply. Many companies have already declared the work from home too.