U.P. school merger plan anti-poor, should be dropped: Mayawati

Lucknow

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Wednesday described the Uttar Pradesh government’s plan to merge or consolidate primary schools with low student enrolment as “anti-poor and unfair”, saying that it will “deprive” crores of children from economically weaker backgrounds of accessible and affordable education near their homes.

“The decision taken by the Basic Education Council to close down many schools under the guise of pairing or integration of primary schools appears unfair, unnecessary and anti-poor at first glance. It is an appeal to the government to immediately withdraw this decision in the larger interest of the poor students,” posted Ms. Mayawati on X.

The U.P. government is planning to merge schools having enrolment of less than 50 students with nearby educational facilities to make the education system “more functional and viable”. As part of the consolidation plan, students from these schools will be accommodated in nearby facilities to ensure their continued education.

‘Will withdraw it’

The former four-time U.P. CM said if the school merger plan is implemented, she will withdraw it and bring in the old system whenever her party forms the government.