Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing the state Assembly on Thursday, vehemently denied the Opposition’s allegation of shutting down 29,000 schools in the state.
Asserting that no schools are being shut, he said those with under 50 students and within one-kilometre radius are being merged into integrated campuses with better facilities.
This school pairing initiative aims to achieve a 22:1 student-teacher ratio and raise education quality. As a result of this, he said, the state’s education system has emerged stronger and more modern.
Recalling the situation before 2017, the CM said 1.56 lakh basic and affiliated schools in the state suffered from poor infrastructure, an imbalanced student-teacher ratio, and the highest dropout rate in the country. “Under the School Chalo Abhiyan and Operation Kayakalp, launched in July 2017, public representatives, administrative officers, villagers, and alumni were encouraged to adopt schools. As a result, schools today have improved flooring, separate toilets, drinking water, electricity, solar panels, digital libraries, smart classes, playgrounds, and proper seating arrangements. Children receive two free uniforms, bags, books, shoes, and socks,” he added.
CM Yogi further said, “Bal Vatika and Pre-primary classes (LKG, UKG, and nursery) will be introduced for children aged 3–6 years in schools that remain. A ₹100 crore special package has been sanctioned under the CM Nutrition Mission to provide a nutritious diet to children suffering from malnutrition and anaemia.”
Highlighting the progress, the CM said since 2017, dropout rates have significantly declined and 40 lakh additional children have enrolled in schools. Under Project Alankar, 75-year-old intercolleges are being renovated with new laboratories, smart classes, and drinking water facilities. “Courses in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Space Technology have been introduced in 150 government ITIs. The state has also established 71 new government colleges and several universities, while 50 lakh youth have been provided tablets and smartphones under the Digital Education initiative,” he added.