Description

In 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government initiated a plan to consolidate government-run schools with low student strength, triggering strong reactions from opposition leaders, education activists, and communities. While the state views the initiative as a step towards optimizing educational resources, critics worry it may reduce access for vulnerable children, especially girls. The Allahabad High Court has upheld the policy despite widespread concern.

Overview Of Merger Initiative

The Basic Education Department of Uttar Pradesh, in mid-2025, identified primary and upper primary schools with enrolments below 50. These institutions are being merged with nearby government schools that have better facilities. The infrastructure left behind is intended to be repurposed for establishing Balvatikas pre-primary units. This move mirrors similar educational reforms previously implemented in states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha under NITI Aayog's guidance since 2017.

Government’s Reasoning For Policy

The key motivation behind merging small schools is to improve efficiency in resource usage. Many such schools suffer from chronic under-enrolment and face issues like single-teacher management and lack of subject-specific educators. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates forming school complexes or clusters, where resources and personnel can be shared to enhance the learning experience. The initiative also seeks to address operational challenges in providing quality education in sparsely populated areas.

Historical Basis Of Public Schooling In India

India’s government school system was significantly expanded through initiatives like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. These laws aimed to make free and compulsory education a reality, ensuring primary schools were available within 1 km and upper primary within 3 km from children's homes. Earlier, the Kothari Commission (1968) emphasized the importance of neighbourhood schools to reduce inequality and prevent social exclusion.

Concerns And Criticism Over Merger

The policy has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, who argue that the increased distance to schools will discourage attendance—particularly among girls and children from marginalised communities. Teacher associations and activists have pointed out the potential violation of RTE norms. However, the Allahabad High Court rejected petitions challenging the move, stating that resource constraints necessitate practical solutions. Still, many believe the closure of local schools may break the community-school link vital for inclusive education.

Declining Enrolment And Shrinking School Numbers

According to data from UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education), government schools in Uttar Pradesh dropped from 1.63 lakh in 2018–19 to about 1.37 lakh by 2023–24. During the same period, private school numbers increased. Alarmingly, around 13,000 government schools had zero student enrolment in 2023–24. These trends reflect both migration to private institutions and challenges in sustaining small public schools. The merger aims to address the inefficiencies resulting from this shift.

Alignment With Broader Educational Reforms

The restructuring aligns with NEP 2020’s call for school clustering to improve academic outcomes and infrastructure. Several states have already begun implementing similar changes. While the government asserts that the merged schools will offer upgraded facilities and better learning environments, ensuring accessibility for every child remains a challenge. The policy reflects a growing emphasis on balancing quality education with long-term sustainability.

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