NSUI Protests Against Uttar Pradesh Government's School Pairing Policy Amid Concerns for Rural Education

The National Students Union of India (NSUI) organised a protest against the Uttar Pradesh government's recent policy to merge primary and upper primary schools with fewer than 50 students with nearby institutions. This decision, according to NSUI, could lead to the closure of over 27,000 schools. The protest saw hundreds of students marching from the Congress office towards the Vidhan Sabha.

During the protest, tensions rose as police attempted to halt the march, resulting in a brief altercation between the demonstrators and security forces. The protest was led by Anas Rehman, NSUI's Central Zone president, and Rishabh Pandey, Eastern Zone president. They voiced concerns about the impact of this policy on rural education.

NSUI's Concerns Over Education Policy

Anas Rehman expressed that governments in welfare states should focus on providing quality education to all children. He criticised the BJP-led government for allegedly trying to deprive rural students of education as a means to suppress dissent. Rehman warned that if the decision is not reversed, NSUI plans to organise a significant protest within 25 days, with national president Varun Chaudhary joining.

Rishabh Pandey accused the Yogi Adityanath administration of favouring private schools over public ones. He pointed out that private schools admit children at ages three to four, whereas government schools start at six. Pandey argued that once children are enrolled in private schools, returning to government schools becomes unlikely.

Impact on Public Education

Pandey also highlighted concerns about the Right to Education Act being violated. He claimed that private schools are being recognised within a one-kilometre radius of government schools, which undermines public education. This move, according to him, favours private institutions at the expense of public schooling.

The NSUI's protest reflects broader concerns about educational access and equity in Uttar Pradesh. The organisation is determined to challenge policies they believe disadvantage rural students and weaken public education infrastructure.

With inputs from PTI