Lucknow— The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced a state-wide campaign titled “School Bachao Abhiyan” to protest the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to shut down thousands of government schools across Uttar Pradesh. The campaign will begin on July 9, with AAP leaders and workers visiting affected villages, engaging with local communities, and mobilizing public support.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh expressed grave concern over the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to merge or shut down nearly 27,000 government primary and junior schools. Singh stated, “This is not just about buildings being shut; it’s about the future of innocent children and thousands of teachers being pushed into darkness.”
A Ground-Level Movement
Sanjay Singh announced that starting July 9, AAP office-bearers, volunteers, and front leaders will visit villages where schools are being shut down. “I will personally visit every village where a school is closing. We will speak to the residents and awaken public opinion against this unjust move,” he said.
He further added that this campaign is aimed at building a larger grassroots movement to protect public education and ensure that children’s futures are not compromised for administrative convenience.
“Violation of Right to Education”
Sanjay Singh slammed the Yogi government, alleging it is blatantly violating the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates that every child should have a school within one kilometre of their residence. “In places like Meerut, due to school mergers, young children are now forced to cross railway tracks to reach their new schools. Who will be responsible if any mishap occurs?” Singh questioned.
He also raised concerns about the job security of principals, teachers, and school staff whose institutions are being shut down without any clear roadmap or reassignment.
School Closure Statistics Across UP
Singh presented alarming data on the scale of school closures:
- Etah – 925 schools
- Lucknow – 445 schools
- Fatehpur – 565 schools
- Sultanpur – 444 schools
- Mau – 341 schools
- Unnao – 336 schools
- Mainpuri – 315 schools
- Prayagraj – 400 schools
- Bulandshahr – 200 schools
- Jhansi – 159 schools
- Chandauli – 96 schools
- Sambhal – 150 schools
- Sonbhadra – 84 schools
- Muzaffarnagar – 76 schools
- Meerut – 100 schools
- Banda – 106 schools
- Sitapur – 208 schools
- Amroha – 48 schools
- Kasganj – 40 schools
- Shravasti – 44 schools
- Ballia – 26 schools
- Chitrakoot – 50 schools
“Shutting Schools Instead of Improving Them”
Taking a direct jab at the BJP government, Singh asked, “Why is the number of students declining? Has the government even tried to investigate this?”
He blamed the poor state of infrastructure in government schools as the primary reason for declining enrollments. “Children are being served salt with rice or roti in the name of mid-day meals. They sit on floor mats in dark classrooms without fans or electricity. Instead of improving conditions, the government is choosing to shut down schools,” he said.
AAP’s Education Model as an Alternative
Sanjay Singh reiterated that AAP has proven its commitment to education in Delhi and Punjab, where government schools have been transformed into model institutions. He said, “School education and public healthcare have always been our top priorities. We are committed to bringing the same level of transformation to Uttar Pradesh.”
The AAP leader concluded by saying the party will not allow any tampering with children’s futures and vowed to intensify the campaign if the school closure decision is not reversed.
The “School Bachao Abhiyan” is poised to become a major flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape, as opposition to the school merger policy gains momentum from both AAP and Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
