UP Govt clarifies no school closures, to merge low-strength institutions amid dropout concerns

The Uttar Pradesh government has clarified in the Assembly that no schools will be closed in the state. Minister of State for Basic Education Sandeep Singh said the decision comes amid concerns raised over school mergers and alleged student dropouts. He stated that only institutions with fewer than 50 students are being merged with other schools located within a one-kilometre radius to ensure smooth teaching operations and better use of resources.

The statement was made during Question Hour on the second day of the Monsoon Session in response to questions from Samajwadi Party legislators Pankaj Patel, Anil Pradhan, and Prabhu Narayan Singh Yadav. Patel claimed that 88 lakh children had dropped out of school due to poor educational standards and expressed concern about the impact of recent school mergers on students’ access to education.

Addressing these concerns, Singh reiterated that “no decision has been taken to close a single school.” He explained that the mergers are being implemented to facilitate teaching and improve efficiency, with the aim of benefiting students and optimising available facilities.

Providing updated figures, Singh informed the Assembly that primary schools in Uttar Pradesh currently have 10,493,389 enrolled students, with 417,886 sanctioned teaching posts, of which 338,590 are filled. Upper primary schools have 4,314,803 students, with 162,198 approved teaching positions, of which 120,860 are occupied.

The minister also highlighted that children are enrolled in schools from the age of six. Those between the ages of three and six are encouraged to attend Anganwadi centres for early childhood education and preparatory learning before entering the primary school system.