Allahabad HC Backs UP Govt’s School Merger Plan, Dismisses PIL

Allahabad HC Backs UP Govt’s School Merger Plan, Dismisses PIL

Lucknow, July 12, 2025 — The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench has once again upheld the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to merge under-enrolled primary and upper primary schools, dismissing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the move and sought transportation for children in remote areas.

The PIL, filed by advocate Jyoti Rajput, contested a government order issued on June 16, 2025, which mandated the consolidation of schools with fewer than 50 students or no enrollment. The petitioner argued that the decision could adversely affect access to education, especially for children living in far-flung rural areas.

However, the division bench of Justices A.R. Masoodi and Shree Prakash Singh ruled the PIL as “non-maintainable.” The bench referred to an earlier detailed judgment delivered on July 7 by Justice Pankaj Bhatia, who had dismissed similar petitions concerning children from Sitapur district. That ruling held that the school merger policy did not violate Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education.

In defense of the policy, Additional Advocate General Anuj Kudesia and Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Kumar Singh argued that the move aimed to improve the quality of education by consolidating resources. The government told the court that many small schools lacked essential infrastructure such as qualified teachers, libraries, sports facilities, and digital tools, thereby depriving students of holistic learning opportunities.

The court noted that the merger would help optimize educational resources and ensure that children have access to better facilities in well-functioning institutions nearby.

Conclusion:

With this verdict, the High Court has reaffirmed the UP government’s stance that consolidating schools is a strategic step toward enhancing educational standards rather than compromising access. While concerns about transportation remain, the court emphasized that the primary goal is to deliver equitable and quality education. The decision sets a strong precedent, indicating judicial support for administrative reforms aimed at addressing inefficiencies in the public education system.