LUCKNOW: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Wayanad (Kerala) Priyanka Gandhi has sharply criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to merge thousands of government schools, calling it a direct assault on the Right to Education and a blow to marginalised communities.
In a post on her official X handle, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Yogi Adityanath-led administration is preparing to shut down nearly 5, 000 schools under the guise of rationalisation, while teacher organisations warn that the actual number could reach as high as 27, 000.
The move, according to state officials, is part of a broader plan to consolidate schools with low enrollment—particularly those with fewer than 50 students—and merge them with nearby institutions to optimise resources and improve infrastructure.