Claims of Thousands of School Closures Are Misleading and Baseless

Raipur, May 31

The School Education Department has strongly refuted claims made by certain organizations and individuals suggesting that thousands of schools are being shut down due to rationalization. The department stated that such claims are completely misleading and factually incorrect. In reality, the objective of the rationalization process initiated by the state government is not to stop children’s education, but to enhance the quality of education and make better use of available resources.

Out of a total of 10,463 schools in the state, only 166 schools will undergo merging (rationalization). Among these:

133 schools are in rural areas where the student count is below 10, and another school exists within 1 kilometer.

33 schools are in urban areas with fewer than 30 students enrolled, and another school operates within 500 meters.

These 166 schools are being merged to ensure better educational outcomes. The education of students will not be affected in any way. The remaining 10,297 schools will continue operating as usual, with only necessary administrative and academic adjustments. School buildings will continue to be used as before, and teachers will be available wherever required.

It is important to distinguish between “merging” and “closing” schools. Merging means combining nearby schools to optimize resources and improve education quality, not shutting them down. The department urged the public not to fall for rumors. The truth is that the state government is working to strengthen schools, improve learning standards, and ensure every child receives a quality education.

A Step Toward Strengthening the Education System
The Chhattisgarh government is rationalizing schools and teachers in both rural and urban areas to improve education quality. The goal is to ensure that resources and teachers are allocated where they are most needed. Schools with very few students, which cannot offer effective learning, are being merged with better-equipped nearby schools so that children have access to improved facilities, a supportive learning environment, and equal opportunities.

This means:

Students will be taught by qualified and subject-specialized teachers.

Access to libraries, labs, computers, and other educational resources will improve.

Schools previously facing a shortage of teachers will now be properly staffed.

Students from under-enrolled schools will benefit from enhanced education at nearby institutions.

This transformation is expected to raise the standard of education across both rural and urban regions.

The government’s intention is clear: to ensure every child receives a high-quality education. That’s why the state is focusing on need-based teacher deployment instead of just numbers. The Chhattisgarh School Education Department views this not just as an administrative reform but as a significant step toward systemic educational transformation, one that will provide a strong foundation for future generations.