SP Members Boycott Session Over Alleged Decline in UP's Basic Education Standards
In a heated session of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad, members of the Samajwadi Party raised significant concerns under rule 105 regarding the deteriorating state of basic education in the state. The discussion highlighted a range of issues from teacher utilization to school infrastructure, sparking a brief boycott by opposition members.
Allegations of Teacher Misuse and Vacancies
MLC Ashutosh Sinha of the Samajwadi Party voiced strong criticism, alleging that teachers and shiksha mitras are being diverted from their primary educational duties to perform non-teaching activities. "They are used for census work, SIR, and other administrative tasks, which undermines their role as educators," he stated. Sinha further emphasized that this practice suggests the government does not prioritize teaching responsibilities, contributing to a decline in education quality.
Additionally, Sinha pointed out that demands for the restoration of the old pension scheme for educators have been ignored by the authorities, adding to the discontent among teaching staff.
Claims of School Closures and Staff Shortages
Another Samajwadi Party MLC, Man Singh Yadav, presented alarming statistics, alleging that over the past seven years, approximately 36,000 primary schools have been shut down across Uttar Pradesh. He also highlighted a severe shortage of teaching personnel, with more than 1.2 lakh posts for primary teachers remaining vacant. In secondary schools, the vacancy count exceeds 4,000 positions for assistant teachers, further straining the education system.
Government's Response and Counterclaims
Sandeep Singh, the Minister of State for Basic Education, firmly denied all allegations made by the Samajwadi Party. He asserted that no schools have been closed in Uttar Pradesh, clarifying that only institutions with fewer than 50 students have been merged to optimize resources and improve educational outcomes.
The minister outlined several government initiatives aimed at enhancing basic education, including:
- Nipun Scheme: Focused on improving language and mathematics skills among students.
- School Chalo Abhiyan: A campaign to boost student attendance and engagement in classrooms.
- Teacher Welfare Programs: Such as a cashless treatment scheme, demonstrating the government's commitment to educator support at all levels.
Despite these explanations, the Samajwadi Party members expressed dissatisfaction with the response, leading to a temporary boycott of the session as a form of protest against what they perceive as governmental neglect of critical education issues.
