National News: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has escalated its campaign to stop the closure of government schools in Uttar Pradesh by the BJP-led state government. The issue, which has sparked concern over the weakening of public education, has now reached the national stage. AAP MP Sanjay Singh has formally given notice in the Rajya Sabha demanding an urgent discussion on the mass closure and merger of government schools in the state.
Singh’s notice, submitted under Rule 267 on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, has been acknowledged by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Speaking on the issue, Sanjay Singh asserted, “AAP’s fight to save children’s schools will continue—from the streets to Parliament. Educational reform must not mean shutting down government schools, but rather, strengthening them.”
Closure of Schools a Threat to Right to Education
In his letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, Singh emphasized that the mass closure and merger of schools in Uttar Pradesh violates the Right to Education guaranteed under Article 21A of the Constitution and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Highlighting the extent of the crisis, Singh stated that nearly 90,000 government schools have been shut down across India, with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for over 10,827 primary school mergers and the closure of around 25,000 schools. Alarmingly, orders have been issued to shut down an additional 5,000 schools in the state.
He warned that these decisions are disproportionately affecting children from Dalit, tribal, and backward communities, who are being pushed out of the education system. “In many cases, students are now forced to walk 3 to 4 kilometers—or more—to reach the nearest school,” he added.
Teacher Shortages Worsening the Crisis
Sanjay Singh also drew attention to the severe teacher shortage in Uttar Pradesh, stating that over 1.93 lakh teaching positions remain vacant in primary schools, with thousands more in secondary and higher secondary institutions. “In some districts, a single teacher is managing the entire school, making quality education nearly impossible,” he said.
Reform Should Mean Strengthening, Not Shutting Down Schools
Contrasting the government’s vision for a “future-ready education system” with the current ground reality, Singh criticized the implementation of the National Education Policy. While the policy emphasizes digital platforms and modern curricula, he said, its benefits cannot reach students if the very schools meant to deliver them are closed.
“Reform should not mean closure. We must invest in teachers, infrastructure, and inclusive education—ensuring access, not removing it under the guise of efficiency,” Singh asserted.
He concluded his letter by urging that all other proceedings in the House be suspended to allow for immediate discussion on this national crisis, warning that continued school closures threaten the foundation of inclusive and equitable education in India.
