Is the Condition of UP Government Schools Really That Pathetic?

Lucknow, May 20 (NationPress) The leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, raised serious concerns on Tuesday regarding the alarming state of government-operated primary schools in Uttar Pradesh, deeming the situation as “extremely dire”.

She cautioned that if this trend persists, it could jeopardize the educational prospects of marginalized communities.

Referencing official enrollment statistics, Mayawati highlighted a substantial decline in student attendance in both primary and upper primary schools across the state. “In the academic year 2023-24, there were 1.74 crore students enrolled in primary and upper primary schools in Uttar Pradesh. However, in 2024-25, this number has plummeted to merely 1.52 crore — a drastic fall of nearly 22 lakh students,” she noted in a post on X.

Labeling this trend as “serious and alarming,” the BSP leader emphasized the necessity for the government to acknowledge the significance of basic education and to implement urgent corrective actions. “The poor state of the government education system reflects a lack of adequate attention towards the educational requirements of the underprivileged. The government needs to enhance school infrastructure and learning standards,” she insisted.

Mayawati also condemned the state's treatment of private madrasas, particularly those functioning on low-cost models in rural and minority-populated areas.

“Instead of offering support, the government is targeting these madrasas by labeling them as illegal and attempting to shut them down. This approach is unnecessary, unjust, and further diminishes access to fundamental education for the impoverished,” she remarked, calling on the administration to adopt a more positive approach.

She reiterated that while many government schools across various Indian states are in disarray, the situation is particularly concerning in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

“This neglect directly obstructs the advancement of impoverished Bahujan families and casts a shadow over their children’s futures,” she added.

“Instead of shutting down schools, the government should focus on enhancing school education and providing the right incentives to boost attendance,” she urged.

Mayawati's comments come at a pivotal time as she strives to restore her party’s political influence.

With an eye on the forthcoming elections, she has recently reinstated her nephew, Akash Anand, as the BSP’s national coordinator — a strategic move perceived as an attempt to reconnect with the Bahujan youth.