UP Education Minister Slams Akhilesh Yadav For 'Neglecting School Education'

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh has strongly criticised former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government, accusing them of severely neglecting school education. Citing a 2015 newspaper clipping, Singh claimed that 3.45 crore children were out of school under SP rule, and alleged the education system was dominated by caste politics, appeasement, and the copy mafia.

Responding to the SP chief’s remarks, Singh said the real revival of education began only after the BJP formed the government in 2017. “Between 2012 and 2017, no model school was built. The SP not only damaged education but also insulted the state’s culture,” he said.

Singh highlighted major education initiatives launched under the BJP, including Operation Kayakalp, which has seen over ₹11,500 crore invested to provide basic amenities in council schools. Through School Chalo Abhiyan, more than 27 lakh students have enrolled this year alone.

He also detailed the creation of CM Model Composite Schools (two per district), Atal Residential Schools for labourers' children and orphans, and the upgrading of 1,722 schools into PM Shri Schools with smart classrooms, ICT labs, and digital libraries.

The minister pointed to the ASER 2024 and PARAKH Survey 2024 reports, which found Class 3 students in UP performing above the national average. He said digital monitoring has ensured transparency in school attendance, resources, and academic performance.

“There is a vast difference between education before 2017 and today,” Singh stated. “Under the SP, education was crippled by disorder and corruption. Under BJP, it is defined by transparency, infrastructure, and quality. Today, children study in smart classes and dream confidently of a better future.”