Lucknow — Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati raised strong concerns over the deteriorating condition of government-run elementary schools in Uttar Pradesh, calling the situation “very pathetic” and warning that the education of marginalized communities is at serious risk.
Citing official enrollment data, Mayawati pointed out a sharp drop in student numbers. “In the academic year 2023–24, 1.74 crore students were enrolled in government primary and upper primary schools across the state. But in 2024–25, this number has fallen drastically to just 1.52 crore — a decline of nearly 22 lakh students,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Describing the trend as “alarming and deeply concerning,” the former Chief Minister said the statistics reflect the state government’s failure to prioritize basic education, especially for the underprivileged.
“The poor condition of the government school system shows that the educational needs of disadvantaged communities are being ignored. The government must act urgently to improve the quality of education and school infrastructure,” she urged.
Criticism of Government’s Stand on Madrasas
Mayawati also took aim at the Yogi Adityanath-led government’s handling of private madrasas, especially those operating in rural and minority-dominated regions. She accused the administration of deliberately targeting low-cost educational institutions by branding them “unlawful” and attempting to shut them down.
“Instead of supporting these madrasas, which provide basic education to poor children, the government is pushing to close them. This is unjust and will only deepen the educational divide,” Mayawati stated.
She called on the government to adopt a more inclusive and supportive approach toward alternative education models, emphasizing that actions which reduce access to schooling further marginalize the poor.
A Wake-Up Call
Mayawati’s remarks come at a time when Uttar Pradesh’s education system is facing increased scrutiny. Experts have long highlighted issues such as teacher shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and lack of digital access in rural schools. The enrollment dip adds a worrying new dimension to the crisis.
As calls for reform grow louder, Mayawati’s sharp critique serves as a wake-up call to policymakers — urging them to shift focus from symbolic gestures to tangible improvements in the state’s primary education system.
