UP govt denies closure of 27,000 schools; dismisses reports, opposition criticism as 'baseless'

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government, on Monday, dismissed reports regarding the alleged closure of over 27,000 primary schools in the state. The department of basic education, Uttar Pradesh, clarified that these reports are "baseless and misleading," stating that no such closure or merging process is underway. Opposition leaders criticized the UP government’s alleged decision to close and merge schools, arguing that it forces poor families towards private schooling. They argued that such decisions increase educational inequality.

The department of basic education issued an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), where it denied any plans to close or merge schools with low student enrollment. The department's post read, "The news published in some media regarding the closure of 27,000 primary schools by merging them with nearby schools is completely misleading and baseless. There is no process underway to close any school."

Enhancing education quality and reducing dropout rates

The department also highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education, improve school infrastructure, and reduce the student dropout rate, especially among girls. It added that regular studies and surveys are conducted to monitor and improve primary education.

“The primary education department of the state is constantly making efforts to develop human resources and infrastructure in schools, improve the quality of education and reduce the drop-out rate of students, especially girls. With this in mind, various studies are conducted from time to time", the official X post read.

UP School Closure: Criticism from opposition

Opposition leaders criticised the state government’s approach towards primary education. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X, accusing the BJP-led state government of harming the educational prospects of underprivileged children. She claimed that the decision to close 27,764 primary and junior schools would affect children from Dalit, backward, poor, and marginalized communities. Gandhi pointed out that the Right to Education Act (RTE), introduced by the UPA government, mandates that primary schools should be available within a one 1 kilometre radius to ensure accessibility for children from all backgrounds.

Her X post read, “The aim of welfare policies and schemes is not to earn profit but to do welfare for the people. BJP does not want education to be accessible to children of weaker sections"

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BSP chief Mayawati questions merger decision

Adding to the criticism, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati expressed her concerns regarding the alleged school closures. Mayawati questioned the government’s decision to merge 27,764 council primary and upper primary schools with fewer than 50 students, instead of allocating resources to improve them. She argued that this move would force poor families to shift their children to private schools, a trend that she says is visible from recent surveys.

"The result of such anti-poor and anti-people policies of the government is that people are being forced to educate their children in private schools," Mayawati tweeted. She added that the condition of primary and secondary education in Uttar Pradesh and other states is poor, leaving millions of children from low-income families without access to quality education.

Mayawati also criticized the Odisha government for a similar move, stating that the decision to close schools with low student numbers is unfair and worsens educational inequality.