School closures across states raise concerns amid Govt of India claims of improved access

By A Representative 

A recent report has raised concerns over the closure and merger of government schools in several Indian states, particularly in Bihar, where a significant number of institutions have reportedly been shut down or earmarked for closure.

According to information cited by the Right to Education (RTE) Forum in Katihar district, around 1,773 schools in Bihar have already been closed, with a list of approximately 8,500 additional schools identified for phased closure in line with directives from the state’s education department. 

The report, attributed to district coordinator Suraj Gupta and shared by Mitra Ranjan of the RTE Forum, describes the trend as worrying at a time when there is a need to expand access to education, strengthen infrastructure, and provide buildings for schools that lack proper facilities.

The report also notes that similar processes of school closure and merger are being observed in other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It argues that such measures could affect efforts to ensure equitable, inclusive and quality education, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Amid these developments, the Union government has maintained that decisions regarding the opening, closure and rationalisation of schools fall under the jurisdiction of state governments and Union Territory administrations. In a written reply to a Lok Sabha question on February 2, 2026, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, giving states primary responsibility in such matters.

At the same time, the Centre has presented data suggesting improvements in schooling outcomes. Referring to figures from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), the government has claimed that access to schooling has improved across levels, with the Gross Access Ratio rising between 2018–19 and 2024–25, and dropout rates declining. �

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However, these claims of improved access and retention come against the backdrop of reports indicating the closure or planned closure of a large number of government schools across multiple states. Education advocates have pointed to this apparent contradiction, questioning whether gains in aggregate indicators fully capture the impact of school closures on local access, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas.

The issue continues to generate debate among policymakers and civil society groups, with discussions focusing on how to balance administrative rationalisation with the constitutional mandate to ensure universal, equitable and accessible education for all children.