Parliament Question: Merger of Schools

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 153 ANSWERED ON- 21.07.2025 Merger of Schools †153 Smt. Krishna Devi Shivshankar Patel:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the alternative arrangements being made to accomodate the students of the schools that are being closed under the merger scheme of schools that have less than 50 enrolled students in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) whether there is any arrangement for the safe transportation of students accomodated in schools that are situated far away;

(c) whether the Government has any plans to utilise the buildings of closed schools after the merger of the said schools, if so, the details of their usage; and

(d) the aim and requirement of the Government to merge these schools? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): Education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools come under the purview of the respective State Government/UT Administration. The opening and closing of schools are within the purview of respective State Government and UT Administration.

As informed by the State of Uttar Pradesh, under the National Education Policy 2020, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has initiated a Pairing of School initiative as per Government order dated 16 June 2025 to ensure optimal utilisation of resources and to enhance the quality of education. Schools with low enrolment are being paired with nearby designated schools that offer improved infrastructure, and a more enriched learning and engaging academic environment. This approach facilitates access to peer learning, age- appropriate pedagogy, and the development of 21st-century skills. The pairing process is carefully mapped to ensure that children are relocated within a safe and feasible distance.Priority is given to pairing schools with the nearest schools, taking into account factors such as infrastructure, accessibility, enrolment, inclusion, and the local context. The Government

Order outlines the procedure for school pairing to ensure optimal utilisation of resources and to enhance the quality of education for students.

A focused effort is underway to repurpose these spaces, in alignment with the new pedagogical structure of the NEP 2020 (5+3+3+4), into Balvatika centres. This initiative supports the policy's emphasis on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), providing foundational learning environments for children aged 3-5 years.

Where feasible, these centres are co-located with existing schools or Anganwadi centres to ensure continuity into formal education. District authorities are supervising the phased conversion and integration of these centres across the state.

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