Akhilesh Yadav Criticises Yogi Government for Alleged School Closures Amid Education Improvements

Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of closing schools as part of a conspiracy, while state ministers highlight educational advancements since 2017. The debate continues between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP government over the status of government schools.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav recently accused the Uttar Pradesh government of closing state schools as part of a conspiracy. This claim led to a strong response from senior ministers, who highlighted significant improvements in education since 2017. Yadav, in a post on X, criticised the BJP for allegedly shutting down schools and shared news about school closures over the past seven years.

Yadav's comments come amid tensions between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. The government describes their actions as school pairings, while opposition parties argue it amounts to shutting down institutions. In response, SP workers have initiated PDA Pathshala, where children learn about party leaders and socialist theory.

Government's Response to Allegations

Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh countered Yadav's allegations by stating that before 2017, the state's education system was plagued by issues like nepotism and negligence. Singh claimed that the BJP government has reformed the sector through transparency and investment. He cited initiatives like Operation Kayakalp, which invested over Rs 11,500 crore to improve council schools.

Singh also mentioned the School Chalo Abhiyan, which saw over 27 lakh new students enrolling this year. Additionally, two CM Model Composite Schools have been established in every district, and Atal Residential Schools have opened for children of labourers and orphans. Furthermore, 1,722 PM Shri Schools have been upgraded with modern facilities.

Education Reforms and Achievements

The minister referred to reports like ASER 2024 and PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan as evidence of improved education standards. According to these reports, Class 3 students are performing above the national average. Cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar also criticised Yadav's governance record using an ABCD analogy to highlight alleged issues during SP's tenure.

Rajbhar accused the SP of fostering lawlessness and corruption while shielding criminals. He contrasted this with the BJP's achievements, such as upgrading over 96% of government schools under Operation Kayakalp and enrolling more than 27 lakh new students through School Chalo Abhiyan.

Comparing Past and Present Education Systems

Rajbhar highlighted initiatives like CM Model Composite Schools and Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya Yojana, which provide free residential education to over 18,000 children. He also mentioned the upgrade of PM-Shri schools with smart classes and ICT labs. Improved Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas were also noted as part of these reforms.

The ASER and PARAKH reports confirmed that Class 3 students in Uttar Pradesh now perform above the national average. Attendance and resources are monitored digitally through the Prerna portal. Rajbhar alleged that under SP rule, education was hindered by casteism and appeasement, while under BJP rule, new schools have opened and children returned to classrooms.

The ongoing debate between the Samajwadi Party and BJP highlights differing views on educational reforms in Uttar Pradesh. While Yadav accuses the government of closing schools conspiratorially, state ministers defend their record by citing various initiatives aimed at improving education standards across the state.

With inputs from PTI