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The Uttar Pradesh Junior High School Teachers Association has started a peaceful protest against the school merger policy in the state. The government is trying to merge small primary and junior schools in different villages. But the teachers say this is not right. It will harm the future of poor children in villages. It will also create problems for teachers. The association has said that they will start a peaceful movement. They will not accept the wrong policy of merging schools. They said that giving free or low-cost education is not just a rule, it is a moral duty of the government.
In many villages, the nearest school is now being placed 2 or 3 kilometers away. The children who earlier walked a few minutes to school now have to walk long distances. This is particularly challenging for young children, especially girls. It is also unsafe. Some children may stop going to school. If they drop out, who will be responsible? The government should think about these problems before making such big changes. The teachers say that the merger system should stop immediately. Every village must have its school like before.
When schools are far away, small children may not attend regularly. Poor parents cannot send them by bus or car. They also cannot take them daily. Many children will miss school or leave it altogether. This is against the Right to Education law, which says that children should get primary education close to home. If the school is too far, it becomes hard to follow this law.
The teachers are not against improving education. They want better schools, too. But instead of closing village schools, the government should improve them. They should give more teachers, books, furniture, clean toilets, and drinking water. If schools become better, more children will come. But if schools are closed and children are sent far away, education will stop for many. This is not a smart step. It is a harmful step for village children.
The teacher union is also worried that this school merger is just a way to reduce teachers. When two schools are joined, one teacher post may be removed. This is unfair. Many teachers are working with a full heart. They love teaching. They want to serve children. But now they are scared for their jobs. Shiksha Mitras and part-time teachers are very tense. They do not know what will happen next.
Many villagers are also sad and angry. They say the school in the village is not just a building. It is the heart of the village. It is a place of learning, playing, and growing. When children go to a school in their village, parents are happy and feel safe. But now, when schools are merged and children are sent far away, parents feel helpless. Girl children may stop going to school. Parents may not allow them to walk 2–3 km daily. There are also safety issues and transport problems.
The teacher association wants to save education in villages. They want to meet leaders, MLAs, MPs, and ministers. They want to explain the problem in simple words. They want to request that the government take back this policy. They are saying: please let the schools run like before. Please help teachers and children. Please save the future of rural India.
Education experts also say that this kind of one-size-fits-all system is not good. Every village is different. Some villages have good roads. Others do not. Some areas are near forests or rivers. In such places, children walking 3 kilometers is not safe. The government should talk to teachers and parents before making big decisions. Teachers are the backbone of schools. If teachers are not respected, then education cannot be strong.
The Right to Education (RTE) rule says that children in classes 1 to 5 should not travel more than 1 km. For Classes 6 to 8, it should not be more than 3 km. But even this is too far for small kids, especially in rural areas. When a child walks long distances daily, they get tired. Their health and studies suffer. The merger system is not helping students. It is pushing them away from schools.
The protest by the teachers is peaceful. They are not shouting or going on strike. They are just explaining their point. They are ready to sit for peaceful dharnas and send letters. They want to talk to the government with respect. But they also say that if the policy is not changed, they will continue their protest. They are ready for a long movement if needed.
Their message is clear. Let every village have its school. Stop merging schools. Keep education near homes. Help children learn happily and safely. Do not make them walk for kilometers. Respect the role of teachers. Listen to their voice. Only then will real education grow.
This protest is not only for teachers. It is for every child who dreams of studying. It is for every parent who wants their child to learn. It is for every village that wants a better future. The government must listen. The school merger plan must stop. Village schools must work as before. Then only can we say that we care for education.
The teachers are standing together. They say: We will not let basic education die. We will protect children’s right to learn. We will save village schools. We will walk the path of peace, but we will not be silent. The government must act now. Education is not a favour. It is a right. And that right must be protected. Always.
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