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India.com
an hour ago
- Politics
- India.com
Centre defends UP government's school merger policy amid criticism
The Union government has strongly defended the Uttar Pradesh government's proactive School Pairing Initiative, a strategic policy designed to revolutionize basic education by consolidating under-enrolled schools. This robust defense comes as BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla's recent tweet ignited widespread public discussion, highlighting the true intent behind the reported merger of over 26,000 schools in the state. Contrary to misleading narratives suggesting widespread closures, government officials and policy documents emphasize that the initiative involves judiciously merging schools with fewer than 50 students into nearby, well-equipped institutions. These mergers occur within a 1 km radius for primary schools and a 3 km radius for upper primary schools, a move aimed at optimizing resource utilization, enhancing infrastructure, and ultimately improving learning outcomes for students. Here's a quick lesson for those who gave Madhushala instead of PaathShala Black to White facts ka nahi karna chahiye While some spin half-truths for headlines, UP under CM Yogi is fixing what agenda-peddlers others ignored for decades. So here are the facts - 1) 26,000+… — Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) July 22, 2025 This forward-thinking School Pairing Initiative is an integral part of the BJP government's broader commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in rural government education. It tackles critical issues such as low enrollment, inefficient teacher deployment, and underutilized facilities head-on. Merged schools are not being abandoned; instead, they are undergoing significant upgrades under flagship programs like Project Alankar, which provides for modern amenities including smart classrooms, state-of-the-art science labs, clean drinking water facilities, and sustainable solar power. Furthermore, a visionary aspect of this policy involves repurposing vacated school buildings into vibrant Anganwadi centres and Bal Vatikas. This innovative approach directly contributes to expanding critical early childhood education infrastructure, ensuring holistic development from an early age. Importantly, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of ₹1,200 per student for uniforms, shoes, and stationery remains entirely unaffected, underscoring the government's unwavering commitment to student welfare. The positive impact of this initiative is already evident in districts like Prayagraj, where reports indicate improved student attendance and a more efficient consolidation of educational resources. The policy's strength was further affirmed in July 2024 when the Allahabad High Court upheld its constitutional validity and public interest justification, decisively dismissing all challenges brought against the mergers. This judicial endorsement solidifies the government's position on the legality and benefits of the program. Uttar Pradesh's pioneering model aligns seamlessly with successful education reforms implemented in other states under BJP or allied governments, including Rajasthan (over 17,000 school mergers), Madhya Pradesh (16,076), Odisha (over 9,000), and Jharkhand. These states have similarly undertaken school rationalization efforts to boost efficiency, optimize student-teacher ratios, and enhance the overall quality of public education. As the discourse around education reform continues, the Uttar Pradesh experience stands as a powerful testament to the BJP government's dedication to achieving a crucial balance: expanding access to education while rigorously ensuring its quality in public schooling, thereby securing a brighter future for countless students.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Transition must be completed within a fixed timeframe, no room for negligence, says Yogi on school merger
Amid the ongoing school merger plan, U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday (July 14, 2025) held a meeting of the Basic Education department and added that pairing of schools is done to enhance quality and optimize resource use. 'The Chief Minister underscored the need to implement the school pairing system with a long-term, inclusive vision, highlighting its benefits for students, teachers, and parents through better resource utilization and improved education quality,' reads a statement by the U.P. government. Mr. Adityanath directed authorities that schools with more than 50 students should function as independent institutions to strengthen administrative efficiency, accountability, and academic oversight. Mr. Adityanath added in cases where school buildings fall vacant due to the pairing system, Bal Vatikas (pre-primary schools) be started in those premises. 'The transition must be completed within a fixed timeframe, leaving no room for delay or negligence,' said the CM, as per the government statement. The CM further stressed that no child between the ages of six and 14 should be left out of the education system and instructed that School Management Committees (Principals and Village Heads), should take full responsibility. 'Mr. Adityanath said effective implementation of the School Chalo Abhiyan is needed to ensure that every child is enrolled and attending school regularly. To support students, the financial assistance of ₹1,200 for uniforms, shoes, socks, stationery, and study material be transferred directly to the bank accounts of parents of students enrolled in council schools via DBT without delay,' added the official statement. Uttar Pradesh government initiated a plan to merge schools having enrolment of less than 50 students, with nearby educational facility to make the education system more functional and viable. As part of the consolidation plan, students from these schools will be accommodated in nearby facilities to ensure their continued education.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
School pairing will ensure better resource utilisation, says Yogi
: Days after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court dismissed petitions challenging the school pairing/ merger plan, chief minister Yogi Adityanath underlined the need to implement the school pairing system with a long-term, inclusive vision. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath (File Photo) Highlighting the system's benefits for students, teachers, and parents through better resource utilization and improved education quality, the chief minister directed that schools with more than 50 students should function as independent institutions to strengthen administrative efficiency, accountability and academic oversight. The chief minister made these remarks on Monday while chairing a high-level review meeting of the basic education department. During the meeting, he issued several crucial directives aimed at enhancing the quality of primary education in Uttar Pradesh. 'Bal Vatikas (pre-primary schools) should be started in vacant premises' He instructed officials that in cases where the school buildings fall vacant due to the pairing system, Bal Vatikas (pre-primary schools) should be started in those premises. He said Anganwadi centres should be shifted to such buildings to enhance early childhood education and ensure optimal use of infrastructure. The CM emphasised that this transition must be completed within a fixed timeframe, leaving no room for delay or negligence. Focus on 100% school attendance The discussion focused on ensuring 100% school attendance, optimal use of available resources, and strengthening the school infrastructure, according to a government spokesperson. Emphasising that no child between the ages of 6 and 14 should be left out of the education system, the chief minister instructed school management committees (principals and village heads) to take full responsibility for this. He called for effective implementation of the 'School Chalo Abhiyan' to ensure that every child is enrolled and attending school regularly. 'Transfer ₹1200 via DBT without delay' The chief minister directed that financial assistance of ₹1,200 for uniforms, shoes, socks, stationery, and study material be transferred directly to the bank accounts of parents of students enrolled in council schools via DBT without delay. He stressed that this process must be completed with full transparency and timeliness to avoid any disruption in the availability of school materials. Addressing the issue of inadequate infrastructure in some schools, he instructed officials to ensure immediate provisioning of necessary resources so that students can study in a clean, safe and conducive environment. Maintain an ideal teacher-student ratio Stressing the need to maintain an ideal teacher-student ratio, the chief minister called for urgent recruitment to fill vacant teaching posts. He directed the department to send requisitions for all vacancies immediately and complete the appointment process in a time-bound manner, an official said. CM'S DIRECTIVES * DBT aid of ₹1200 for government school students must reach parents without delay * Send requisitions without delay to fill vacant posts promptly Maintain ideal teacher-student ratio in schools * Officials directed to make 'School Chalo Abhiyan' more effective
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Govt ‘pairs' 10,827 schools, converts vacant buildings into ‘Bal Vatikas'
Lucknow: The state govt has so far paired 10,827 primary schools to address the challenge of thousands of small, under-enrolled schools that led to isolation for teachers and students, reduced peer learning opportunities and weakened school governance. Post pairing, these low-enrolment schools are being converted into Bal Vatika (anganwadi centre), in line with NEP 2020's emphasis on early childhood education. Under the pairing model, larger 'host' schools will receive students from 'guest' schools, enabling more structured academic routines, dedicated subject instruction and access to better said all the staff of the guest schools will initially move to the host schools. In case of surplus staff, a policy decision is yet to be made. A govt order issued by the principal secretary, integrated child development scheme (ICDS), B Chandrakala stated special emphasis was laid on pre-school education. For this, through Samagra Shiksha, the basic education department is working on creating resources and an environment for children of the age group 3 to 6 years in a planned manner. The order further read: "At present, all anganwadi centres located on the school premises have been declared as Bal Vatikas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Pelajari Undo In view of maximum use of resources, after pairing certain schools, it is expected that the vacant buildings will be used as Bal Vatika." DMs and education officials have been asked to check whether the centre is already being run in an additional room of the school or in a departmental building in the vacant school premises. In such a situation, the children of Bal Vatika in the vacant school will be able to use the basic facilities like drinking water, toilet and play area more easily. The directives further state that if the condition of the vacant school is not satisfactory or its distance from the nearest anganwadi centre is more, then the shifting process should not take place. For the shifting process, a five-member committee will be headed by the chief development officer.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Schools merge, students back from vacation wait at gates in Noida
Noida: Students outside 72 govt primary schools in the city were left wondering if the summer vacations had extended when they found the gates locked after their return from the month-long holiday. The gates, they were told, would never open again. And their favourite seat in the classroom would no longer be there. Many primary schools with less than 50 students in each are being shut as part of a govt decision to merge them with upper primary institutions in the district. The intention of the merger — announced through a letter last month — is to rationalise resources. But parents fear the govt's move might end up doing exactly what education campaigns fought against —keeping children away from schools. The consolidated schools, mostly upper primary institutions, are kilometres away from junior facilities, which might put them beyond the reach of villagers and force students to eventually pull out. Over 5,000 schools will be integrated across the state. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida " My daughter is in Class 1 and son in Class 2. How can they travel 5km to Kheda Dujana upper primary school," Jayveer Singh, a private firm worker, sought to know. Singh said he wasn't even aware of the merger plan. "It was a regular day when the school reopened after summer vacation. Our kids were excited to return for classes and meet their friends. I came to know about the govt's decision when someone told me that my kids were left waiting outside their school as the main gate was locked. If this continues, I fear their education might come to a halt," he added. The irony of the situation isn't lost on teachers as well. "The govt runs campaigns like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and School Chalo Abhiyan to increase enrolment. Yet, here we are, forcing students to discontinue education through such mergers. The increasing distance will especially impact girls' education and add to dropout rates," said a primary school teacher. Some teachers were concerned that the move would reduce posts and eliminate principal positions. "Principals at primary schools will lose their positions. It's demoralising for both students and teachers," said Praveen Sharma, president of the Noida Teachers' Association. The ripple effect will soon extend to Ghaziabad, where 59 schools are likely to be consolidated. Basic education officer Rahul Panwar claimed that principals were informed about the merger through official letters. "Primary class students will be shifted to nearby schools only. The vacated buildings would be turned into Bal Vatikas or pre-primary schools," he told TOI. The ground reality, however, paints a different picture. For many educators, the emotional impact on young students is concerning. "These primary schools are like second homes for many children. They have their favourite corners, seats and so on. This sudden shift will disrupt their learning environment," said Mamta, a teacher at primary school in Salarpur. Another teacher couldn't agree more. "It's painful to see students we encouraged to come to school are now unwilling to attend classes because of distance. With time and an increasing population, there should have been more schools in every district. But here, schools are merging and reducing in numbers. This will lead to a higher dropout rate," he added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
