- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Children in Uttar Pradesh will no longer study in unsafe council school buildings, as the state government launches a major campaign to demolish and reconstruct dilapidated structures. Chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to conduct a district-wise survey of all council schools to assess their physical condition.
The CM instructed that classes from unsafe buildings be immediately shifted to alternative venues such as nearby council schools, panchayat buildings, or other government premises. Reconstruction work on such schools is to begin without delay, with funding support from the state budget as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from public representatives.
Emphasising that primary schools are the foundation of society’s future, the CM said that making government schools safe and inspiring will help restore public trust. He noted that 96 per cent of the 19 targets under Operation Kayakalp have been achieved. In 2017, only 36 per cent of state schools had basic facilities, and just 7,500 had libraries; today, 1,32,678 schools have libraries stocked with over 500 books each, and almost all schools now have separate toilets for girls.
The meeting also highlighted a record increase in enrolment under the Right to Education (RTE) — from 10,784 children in 2016–17 to 4.58 lakh in 2024–25. In the current session, 15.37 crore free textbooks have been distributed and 4.53 lakh teachers trained in digital education to modernise the learning system.
According to the Basic Education Department, 1,835 schools have been rebuilt in the past two years for Rs 283 crore. Currently, 557 schools are being reconstructed for Rs 106 crore, and repairs are underway in 1,033 schools for Rs 45 crore. Dilapidated buildings identified through surveys are either being demolished for new construction or marked “abandoned” in bold red letters to prevent use until repairs are made.
The CM directed all districts to submit detailed progress reports with photographic documentation and to publicise the government’s efforts through online platforms.