Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 24_Luc_PC_AKHILESH YADAV Byline: Pathikrit ChakrabortyAkhilesh yadav accuses bjp of weakening education by shutting government schoolsLucknow: In a sharp political attack, Samajwadi Party (SP) national President and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party govt of weakening the education system by shutting down govt schools.Addressing a statement issued from the party headquarters in Lucknow, former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP earlier attempted to close around 27,000 govt schools in Uttar Pradesh under the pretext of “merger” and now admitted in the Rajya Sabha that 18,727 govt schools shut over the past 5 years.He termed the move a “conspiracy against the future of the country”, claiming it would disproportionately affect children from marginalised and economically weaker sections.SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav argued that access to education ensures awareness and scientific temper, which, he said, runs counter to the BJP’s ideological outlook.The SP chief further alleged that the closure of govt schools would deprive children not only of education but also of mid-day meals, impacting their physical and mental development. He warned that the move could lead to increased dependence on private schools, burdening families with high fees and associated expenses.Akhilesh Yadav also claimed that rising costs of essential services and commodities—such as fuel, electricity, and transport—already strained household budgets, making private education unaffordable for many.He further alleged that teachers in govt schools are often assigned non-academic duties, affecting the quality of education and lowering teacher morale. This, he said, weakened the relationship between teachers, students, and parents.Calling education a key electoral issue, former CM Akhilesh Yadav said the upcoming elections would see strong public backlash, particularly from women, teachers, and families affected by school closures. He also hinted at expanding the party’s symbolic “PDA Pathshala” campaign into a larger movement to safeguard education rights. MSID:: 128756989 413 |
