The Uttar Pradesh government’s “school pairing” policy, launched in June to merge over 10,000 under-enrolled primary and upper primary schools with fewer than 50 students, has ignited a fierce political controversy. Intended to consolidate resources and align with the National Education Policy 2020, the policy has instead fueled protests, legal battles, and a heated war of words in the state Assembly.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defends the initiative, arguing it strengthens infrastructure, ensures a 22:1 student-teacher ratio, and enhances education quality. “Before 2017, schools lacked basic facilities, and dropouts were rampant,” he said, announcing LKG, UKG, and nursery classes in government schools and a Rs 100 crore nutrition mission. Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh clarified that no schools are permanently closing, with mergers reversible if commuting issues arise, and vacant buildings will become Bal Vatikas (pre-primary schools) by August 15.

However, opposition parties, led by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, call it a “disguised closure” that deprives marginalized communities—PDA (Backward classes, Dalits, minorities)—of education. “What kind of Ram Rajya closes schools and opens liquor shops?” read SP posters in Lucknow. The SP’s “PDA Pathshalas,” informal classes for affected children, have drawn government ire, with FIRs filed against SP leaders in multiple districts for “politicized” teaching, like “A for Akhilesh.” The Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh also launched a “school bachao” campaign, vowing to make it an election issue.

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Despite the Allahabad High Court dismissing legal challenges, citing no rights violations, rural parents and teachers remain divided. Some see benefits in better facilities, while others fear increased travel distances—up to three kilometers—could lead to dropouts. “The connection with students is lost when schools are far,” a village teacher told PTI. With elections looming, the opposition’s relentless campaign keeps the issue alive, while the government races to complete the mergers within weeks, leaving the outcome uncertain.

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