UP School Mergers Spark Debate on Education Access
The Uttar Pradesh government’s 2025 decision to merge government schools with low enrolment has sparked widespread debate. Opposition leaders and local communities argue the move could restrict access to education for marginalised children, especially girls. Despite protests, the Allahabad High Court has upheld the government’s position. This policy shift reflects broader trends in Indian education aimed at resource optimisation amid declining enrolments.
Background of School Mergers in Uttar Pradesh
In mid-2025, UP’s Basic Education Department identified schools with fewer than 50 students. The plan was to merge these with nearby schools that have better facilities. The government aims to use freed infrastructure for pre-primary Balvatikas. This approach follows similar reforms seen in states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha under NITI Aayog initiatives since 2017.
Rationale Behind Merging Schools
The mergers address inefficient use of resources in small schools. Many government schools have very low enrolment and often only one teacher. NEP 2020 recommends forming school complexes to share resources and improve education quality. The policy aims to reduce operational challenges such as multi-grade teaching and lack of specialised subjects or facilities.
Historical Context of Government Schools
Government schools were established under schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009. These aimed for universal elementary education within neighbourhoods. RTE mandates schools within 1 km for classes 1 to 5 and within 3 km for classes 6 to 8. The Kothari Commission (1968) also emphasised neighbourhood schools to prevent social segregation and promote inclusive education.
Challenges and Criticism of the Merger Policy
Opposition parties and teachers’ unions argue mergers increase travel distances for children. This may disproportionately affect girls and marginalised groups, risking higher drop-out rates. Petitions citing violations of RTE distance norms were dismissed by the Allahabad High Court, which noted practical limits on land and resources. Critics fear the loss of local schools undermines community access and engagement.
Impact on Enrolment and School Infrastructure
Data from UDISE+ shows a decline in government schools in UP from 163,000 in 2018-19 to 137,000 in 2023-24. Meanwhile, private school numbers increased. Nearly 13,000 schools had zero enrolment in 2023-24. Small school sizes have made quality education delivery difficult, with many schools lacking adequate teachers and facilities. The merger policy seeks to address these inefficiencies.
Policy Alignment with National Education Trends
NEP 2020 supports rationalising schools into clusters for better resource use. Similar reforms are underway in several states. The policy shift reflects the need to balance universal access with quality and sustainability. The government aims to ensure that merged schools can offer improved infrastructure and teaching standards while maintaining accessibility.
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