Mayawati Slams UP Govt’s School Merger Move, Calls It Anti-Poor and Threat to Rural Education

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati has sharply criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s recent decision to merge government primary schools with low student strength into nearby institutions. She termed the move as “anti-poor” and warned that such a policy could severely impact children from economically weaker sections, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Raising her concerns on Wednesday through a post on social media, Mayawati alleged that the Yogi Adityanath-led government’s action would result in a large number of schools being effectively closed, pushing poor families into difficult choices between affordability and accessibility.

She said such decisions, while being justified as administrative reform, overlook the ground realities where many children walk several kilometres to reach schools. “This will distance education from the doorstep of the underprivileged,” a BSP functionary added, supporting her statement.

Mayawati assured voters that if her party forms the next government in Uttar Pradesh, it will reverse the school integration plan and reinstate the earlier setup. She also appealed to the current administration to immediately withdraw the decision “in the broader interest of education and equity.”

The opposition to the merger plan has been building, with student groups like NSUI holding demonstrations, warning that the move could accelerate dropout rates, especially among girls and marginalised communities.

In a related development, Mayawati also criticised the Central Government for its recent hike in passenger railway fares, saying the move lacks sensitivity towards the poor who are already grappling with inflation and unemployment. “This is not governance for the people, but a commercial model being implemented under the guise of nationalism,” she said at a press briefing.

The BSP chief said the combination of school mergers and rising public service costs shows a pattern of neglect towards the most vulnerable sections of society. “Instead of easing daily struggles, such policies deepen social and economic divides,” she remarked.