Inspection Reveals Infrastructure Gaps in Uttar Pradesh Schools Despite Official Transformation Claims

LUCKNOW — A ground inspection of 25 government schools across five districts in Uttar Pradesh has revealed persistent infrastructure gaps, contrasting sharply with official claims of a complete transformation of the state’s basic education system.

The findings follow a statement made by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on May 26, 2025, claiming that virtually all primary, upper-primary, and composite schools in the state had been rejuvenated under ‘Operation Kayakalp’, with only two to three percent remaining to be upgraded within the year. The state government launched Operation Kayakalp in 2018 across 19 parameters to overhaul school infrastructure, with basic education minister Sandeep Singh stating in May 2025 that roughly ₹11,000 crore had been spent on 1,32,852 council schools.

However, data from UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus), NITI Aayog, and the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department indicate that out of 1,32,852 schools, about 45,000 still lack adequate furniture. Furthermore, 6,957 schools remain without electricity, 576 lack any functional drinking water source, and 2,261 have non-operational girls’ toilets.

Union Ministry of Education budget documents for 2025–26 also record approximately 1,37,000 vacant teaching positions across primary and upper-primary levels in Uttar Pradesh, comprising 59,882 direct recruitment posts and others linked to promotions. UDISE+ 2025–26 data places the state’s student-teacher ratio at 19:1 for primary levels and 21:1 for upper-primary levels.

Individual site inspections uncovered severe localized deficits. A primary school in Gorakhpur, operating out of a rented house, sits on land that floods annually, forcing children to study on floor mats while avoiding strong odors from broken restrooms. According to UDISE+, that same Gorakhpur school—built in 1962—has never had electricity. In Sambhal district, an upper-primary school in Gunnour has operated without a permanent building for three years following the demolition of its dilapidated structure in 2023, pending construction funds.

Responding to infrastructure concerns, Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma, Additional Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department, defended the overarching progress. He stated that given the massive volume of schools in the state, grievances are addressed as they arise, and isolated institutions cannot be used to judge the entire system. He added that Operation Kayakalp is currently targeting remaining shortfalls in furniture and smart classrooms.