Lucknow – On Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted that more than 26,000 schools across Uttar Pradesh have been shut down by the ruling dispensation, which he identified as the BJP‑led state government. In a press briefing, Yadav announced a Rs 40,000 annual aid pledge aimed at supporting the reopening of these institutions, positioning education as a central plank of his party’s agenda.
The SP leader’s claim comes amid growing criticism of the BJP government’s handling of public education in the state. While the administration has defended its actions as part of a broader restructuring effort, opposition parties argue that the closures have left thousands of children without access to basic schooling, especially in rural districts where alternatives are scarce.
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Yadav’s pledge of Rs 40,000 per beneficiary—though the exact beneficiary category was not specified—signals an attempt to provide financial resources that could cover operational costs, teacher salaries, or infrastructure repairs. The figure was highlighted as a tangible commitment, contrasting with what the SP describes as the “political apathy” of the current government toward the sector.
The Samajwadi Party, which previously governed Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017, has a track record of emphasizing education reforms, including scholarship schemes and school infrastructure upgrades. By invoking that legacy, Yadav aims to rally both party cadres and the broader electorate around a promise of restoring educational services that he says were “unjustly withdrawn.”
Political analysts note that the announcement could have electoral implications ahead of the next state assembly polls, as education remains a key voter concern. The SP’s strategy appears to blend policy advocacy with a direct financial pledge, seeking to pressure the BJP government into either reversing the closures or negotiating a joint framework for school revival.
