UP Govt Denies School Closure Plans, Says Low-Strength Schools Being Merged Nearby
UP Minister Sandeep Singh has assured that no schools will be shut down. Schools with fewer than 50 students are being temporarily merged.
Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Basic Education Sandeep Singh on Tuesday assured the Assembly that the state government has not decided to shut down any schools. His statement came in response to questions raised by Samajwadi Party legislators Pankaj Patel, Anil Pradhan and Prabhu Narayan Singh Yadav during Question Hour on the second day of the Monsoon Session.
Patel alleged that 88 lakh children had dropped out of school due to poor educational standards and expressed concern over the recent merging of schools.
In reply, Singh said, 'No schools were being shut. However, institutions with fewer than 50 students were being merged with other schools located within a 1 km radius to ensure smooth teaching operations." He also pointed out that children are admitted to schools at the age of six, while those aged three to six are encouraged to attend Anganwadi centres for early learning.
According to the minister, primary schools in the state have 10,493,389 enrolled students, with 417,886 approved teaching posts, of which 338,590 are currently filled. Upper primary schools have 4,314,803 students, with 162,198 sanctioned posts and 120,860 teachers in service.
The Minister added, 'all the schools [1,32,886] that we have under the Basic Education Department will still remain fully operational. If the distance of the schools which have been merged is more than 1 kilometre and the students are facing any kind of inconvenience, then all those schools will be unpaired again,".
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
‘Sanghi-saathi' should thank British on completing 100 yrs: Akhilesh
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a veiled dig at the RSS after it was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech, saying it should thank the British on completion of its 100 years as some organisations were made by them so that the country could be divided on religious lines. Speaking to reporters at the Janeshwar Mishra Park in Lucknow after hoisting the tricolour, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also questioned the prime minister's 'swadeshi' pitch, saying those who are swadeshi only by speech should become swadeshi in mind. He hit out at the ruling BJP, saying it should not tell lies and no politics should be done on this day. 'This group of Sanghi saathis... I want to remind them that when the BJP was formed and the person who became the first national president of the BJP, in its first session, it was decided that the political ideology of the party would be socialist and secular. 'And, on this completion of 100 years, they should congratulate the British. Because we have heard and some historians have also written that some organisations were made by the British so that 'Bharat' could be divided on religious lines, a gulf could be created between Hindus and Muslims. 'Hence, the Sanghi saathis, whose first ideology is socialist and secular, they should remember it, so that the country can move forward,' Yadav said. Prime Minister Modi on Friday hailed 100 years of RSS as a 'very proud and glorious' journey of the 'world's biggest NGO' and lauded all its volunteers for their dedicated service to the nation. The prime minister also made a sweeping call for 'swadeshi' (Made in India) -- self-reliance and innovation in a gamut of sectors, including semiconductors, social media, fertiliser and pharma. 'Those who are swadeshi only by speech should become swadeshi from mind as well,' Yadav said, while raising issues like US tariffs and GST. 'The BJP people should not be speaking lies on August 15 (Independence Day), a day which is celebrated with joy. No politics should be done during this,' the SP chief said. 'Our borders should be secured, our Army should be strong, and schemes like Agniveer should be stopped. And, we also see those people, who appear to be 'swadeshi' from speech, but are 'videshi' (foreigners) from the mind ('aur hum unn logo ko bhi dekhte hai jo mooh se to swadeshi hai, lekin mann se videshi hai'). 'If someone is a foreigner in mind, then how will our business increase? Today, a country like the US is posing a problem for our industrialists by imposing tariffs,' Yadav said. He said a district like Bhadohi used to do trade worth thousands of crores of rupees but now its business has shrunk significantly. 'And, there is China -- our neighbour, which occupies our land from time to time, has captured our entire market. Today, we have the highest trade deficit with China. Hence, those who are swadeshi only by speech should become swadeshi from mind as well,' Yadav said. India has recorded trade surplus with as many as 151 countries such as the US and the Netherlands, while the country has a trade deficit with 75 nations, including China and Russia, during the first half of this year, according to think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative). Yadav also said that the 'web of GST and fear-inducing ('daraane waalee) institutions such as ED, CBI and Income Tax, will not allow our trade to increase, but will lead to closure'. Referring to the dropping of the atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the SP chief said, 'After the dropping of bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, the results which were visible, the world accepted that it will never go into an atomic war. We will not use atomic energy to take someone's life.
News18
18 minutes ago
- News18
Indian tricolour hoisted atop Seattle's iconic Space Needle in historic first
New York/Seattle, Aug 16 (PTI) The Indian tricolour was hoisted at Seattle's iconic 605-feet-tall Space Needle on India's 79th Independence Day, the first time that a foreign nation's flag was raised at the popular American destination. Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta along with Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell and other select dignitaries from the Seattle city leadership, joined the historic and landmark occasion. 'No greater honour than this ! Raising the Tiranga on top of Seattle skyline at Space Needle," Gupta said in a post on X, along with a video of the tricolour flying high atop the iconic Seattle monument with sprawling views of the city below. Calling the commemoration a 'historic first in Seattle", the Consulate General of India in Seattle said the celebration underscored the contributions of the Indian-American diaspora in shaping the city's journey as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest. Later, a community reception was hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, with India's flag on top of the Space Needle in the backdrop. A large number of Indian-American community members turned up to witness the historic sight, the Consulate said in a press release. The reception was attended by several dignitaries including US Congressman Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Debra Stephens, Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation AP Diaz. Addressing the gathering, Smith welcomed the historic celebration, noting that the Indian tricolour's hoisting atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the region's diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest. In a special gesture to honour India's Independence Day in the Greater Seattle area, King County, which covers 39 cities, along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Bellevue, issued official proclamations marking August 15 as India Day. Separately, several iconic buildings across Seattle were also lit up in the Indian tricolours. These included the Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel and Space Needle. The Indian flag was also hoisted at the prestigious Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall and at the Headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments, the Consulate said. A vibrant cultural extravaganza featuring national anthems, along with dance performances showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art forms as well as a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra also enthralled those attending the special celebrations. PTI YAS GRS GRS GRS view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
World News Live Updates: Israeli Leaders Publicly Support Mass Relocation Of Palestinians From Gaza
Live now From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe News18 Stay informed with our World News Live Blog — your real-time window into global events. From major geopolitical developments and scientific breakthroughs to royal family updates and cultural milestones, we bring you fast, factual, and curated updates as they happen. Whether it's unfolding conflicts, diplomatic shifts, climate alerts, or key moments in international politics, our live blog keeps you ahead of the news curve. Designed for readers who want both speed and substance, this is your go-to source for staying connected with the world — minute by minute, headline by headline. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Hillary Clinton Pledges Nobel Nomination For Trump If He Ends Ukraine War Hillary Clinton announced she would nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully brings the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, as per a report in The Times of India. President Trump responded to the conditional offer, describing the gesture as 'very nice.' The report also notes that President Trump has previously received nominations for the award in recognition of his administration's past efforts in brokering peace agreements, such as the Abraham Accords. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Devastating Floods in Pakistan Kill 243; Buner District Worst Affected Devastating flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Pakistan have resulted in at least 243 deaths, with many individuals still reported missing, according to a report in The Times of India. The Buner district has been identified as the most severely affected area, with 157 fatalities recorded there alone. Rescue operations are currently in progress to assist stranded families, though these efforts have been complicated by the crash of a helicopter that was delivering relief supplies. Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to the widespread destruction. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Mexico, Guatemala, And Belize To Create Tri-National Mayan Jungle Reserve The leaders of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have announced plans to create a tri-national nature reserve spanning over 14 million acres to protect the Selva Maya, also known as the Mayan jungle, AP says in a report. The agreement was reached during a meeting where officials also discussed expanding a controversial Mexican train line, the Tren Maya, which runs through the jungle habitat. This new reserve aims to form a contiguous protected area across southern Mexico and the northern regions of the two Central American nations, integrating existing conservation efforts. The initiative highlights a dual policy approach, promoting large-scale conservation while simultaneously considering the expansion of infrastructure projects that have drawn criticism from environmental and indigenous groups for their potential impact. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Trump and Putin Begin Talks in Alaska, Skip Press Questions US President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin have commenced discussions regarding the war in Ukraine at a US military base in Alaska, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The two leaders held their meeting without taking questions from the press beforehand, ahead of a planned joint press conference. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Air Canada Cancels Over 620 Flights As Strike Threat Escalates Air Canada has canceled more than 620 flights, including many international routes, causing widespread disruption for travelers during the peak summer season, AP said in a report. The move comes as a contract dispute with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 of the airline's flight attendants, has escalated. The situation intensified after the union formally rejected the airline's request to enter into government-directed arbitration, thereby preserving its legal right to strike. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Anime Pirate Flag Becomes Widespread Protest Symbol In Indonesia Protesters across Indonesia are using the pirate flag from the popular Japanese anime One Piece as a symbol of growing public dissatisfaction with the government, Al Jazeera says in a report. Timed to coincide with the nation's Independence Day on August 17, the act of raising the flag is intended to highlight a gap between the country's founding ideals and its current state. The demonstrations are fueled by widespread frustration over issues including perceived government corruption, economic inequality, and concerns about civil liberties. The anime's themes of freedom, rebellion against an oppressive world government, and camaraderie resonate with the protesters, particularly the youth, providing a modern and globally recognized symbol for their dissent. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Putin Claims 'Understanding' With President Trump On Ukraine, Warns Europe Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he and US President Donald Trump have established an 'understanding' on a path forward for the conflict in Ukraine following a meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, as per a report in AP. Putin issued a direct warning to European allies, urging them not to 'torpedo the nascent progress' that he claims has been made. The specifics of the purported 'understanding' were not publicly detailed, but the statement indicates a significant potential shift in the diplomatic approach to the war, driven by direct talks between the US and Russian leaders. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Microsoft Launches Inquiry Into Alleged Use Of Its Tech For Mass Surveillance Of Palestinians Microsoft has launched an urgent external inquiry into allegations that Israel's military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, used its technology for the mass surveillance of Palestinians, The Guardian says in a report. The formal review was initiated on Friday following an investigation that revealed the spy agency allegedly relied on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to store a vast collection of intercepted mobile phone calls from Palestinians. Microsoft stated that such use of its cloud technology would constitute a breach of its terms of service. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Taliban Mark Fourth Anniversary Of Takeover As Women Protest Exclusion The Taliban marked the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with celebrations across Kabul, including 'flower showers' from helicopters, which were exclusively for men, The Guardian says in a report. Women were barred from attending, consistent with broader policies that have systematically eroded their rights, such as the ban on entering parks and recreational areas in place since November 2022. While the official celebrations took place, women staged protests against their exclusion from public life. The anniversary underscores Afghanistan's ongoing diplomatic isolation and severe economic crisis, as no country has formally recognized the Taliban government, compounding the humanitarian situation and hindering development. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Masaoki Sen, Former Kamikaze Volunteer and Tea Grandmaster, Dies Masaoki Sen, a grandmaster of the Japanese tea ceremony who used his cultural stature to advocate against war, has passed away, The New York Times said in a report. Sen had volunteered for a kamikaze suicide mission during World War II but was spared when the war ended before his assignment. He subsequently dedicated his life to the traditional tea ceremony, becoming a prominent cultural figure in Japan. Leveraging his unique personal history and position, Sen became a vocal proponent for peace, speaking out against all forms of warfare and contributing to post-war reconciliation discussions. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST President Trump Claims Progress With Putin, Plans Talks With European And Ukrainian Leaders US President Donald Trump, speaking from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, reported making 'some great progress' in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, AP says in a report. He also announced his intention to hold discussions 'soon' with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The specific details regarding the nature of the progress with Putin or the timeline for the upcoming talks with European and Ukrainian counterparts were not provided in the statement. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Mexico, Guatemala, And Belize Announce Joint Mayan Rainforest Reserve The leaders of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have announced a joint initiative to create a massive tri-national nature reserve spanning more than 14 million acres to protect the Mayan rainforest, according to a report in AP. The agreement, announced on Friday, aims to establish a contiguous protected area across the jungles of southern Mexico and the northern regions of the two Central American nations. The announcement was made following a meeting where the leaders also discussed the expansion of Mexico's Tren Maya, a controversial train line that has faced criticism from environmental groups for its impact on the jungle habitat it traverses. Aug 16, 2025 11:05 IST Novo Nordisk And Eli Lilly Lose $250 Billion Amid US Policy Concerns Pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have collectively lost $250 billion in market value due to investor concerns over potential US drug price cuts and tariffs, according to a report in the Financial Times. The significant stock correction for the makers of popular weight-loss drugs is driven by political uncertainty and a shift in market sentiment. Campaign rhetoric from US President Donald Trump regarding aggressive drug price negotiations and new tariffs has increased perceived regulatory risk. This is coupled with growing investor caution, termed 'weight-loss weariness,' about the long-term growth prospects of the obesity drug market, considering factors like emerging competition and challenges with insurance coverage.
