In a statement issued on Tuesday, AIDSO termed the move “discriminatory” and argued that such selective implementation undermines the principle of equal opportunity in public education.
Allegation of Discrimination in Public Education
According to AIDSO, education is a constitutional right and not a selective privilege. The organisation stated that when the government operates multiple categories of public institutions, extending welfare benefits to one section while denying them to others from similar socio-economic backgrounds amounts to discrimination.
The student body remarked that a majority of students in government and aided PU colleges belong to economically weaker and working-class families. For these students, access to a midday meal is a critical support mechanism that helps them continue their education without facing hunger and financial strain.
Demand for Equal Implementation Across Institutions
AIDSO further argued that the government’s stated commitment to equity and strengthening public education contradicts the selective rollout of the scheme. The organization warned that restricting the benefit to Karnataka Public Schools creates a hierarchy within the public education system itself.
The statement urged the government to clarify whether financial or logistical constraints are responsible for the limited implementation. If such constraints exist, AIDSO demanded transparent disclosure and allocation of adequate funds rather than adopting what it described as a piecemeal approach.
“Partial measures will only deepen inequality and weaken the spirit of common schooling,” the organization said, calling for uniform implementation of the scheme across all government and aided PU institutions.
AIDSO has appealed to the Karnataka government to uphold the principle of equal opportunity and ensure that every deserving student, irrespective of the institution they attend, receives the same nutritional and educational support.
