Members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) have urged the Karnataka state government to abandon its plans to close 64 government schools in Haveri district, citing the negative impact on underprivileged children. The SFI submitted a memorandum to Niranjan Murthy, the education coordinator at the District Directorate of Public Instruction (DDPI), demanding transparency regarding the proposed mergers with Karnataka Public Schools. They argue that the state's focus on closures, driven by low enrolment figures, ignores the underlying issues affecting public education, such as inadequate infrastructure, delayed teacher recruitment, and lack of resources. The SFI has mobilized public support through protests, round table meetings, and awareness campaigns, warning of a larger struggle if the government does not reverse its decision. They criticize the government for allegedly prioritizing private education at the expense of the public school system.