‘Worse than junkyards’: Kejriwal on govt schools

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, claiming that more than 80% of government schools in the country are “worse than junkyards.” He mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana, which is responsible for upgrading 14,500 schools across the country, and he asked for a plan to upgrade all one million government schools.

“You have devised a plan to modernise 14,500 schools, but if we proceed at this rate, it will take 100 years to upgrade all of our government schools. I request that you prepare a plan for the redevelopment of all of the country’s 10 lakh [one million] government-run schools,” he said.

He stated that 1.8 million of the 2.7 million students attend government schools.

He stated that 1.8 million of the 2.7 million students attend government schools. “More than 80% of government schools are in worse condition than a junkyard.” How will India become a developed country if we provide such education to our children’s crores?”

He claimed that the country made a major mistake in 1947 by failing to establish good government schools in every village and town. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t focus on giving our children a good education for the next 75 years.” Will India continue to squander its time?”

In honour of Teachers’ Day, on Monday, Modi announced the creation of model schools through the PM-SHRI Yojana.

Kejriwal wrote the letter on the eve of the launch of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) “Make India Number One” campaign in Haryana. As the AAP seeks to expand beyond its stronghold in Delhi, he has cited his work in key areas such as education and healthcare.

AAP formed the government in Punjab this year and is optimistic about its chances in places like Modi’s home state of Gujarat, where elections are scheduled for this year, with a focus on education.