Opinion: Telangana school closures — locking classrooms, darkening futures
State government’s move to close and merge schools over low enrolment is administrative failure, not educational reform
By Chitikena Kiran Kumar
A State’s greatness is not measured merely by its economic growth, towering buildings, flyovers, or investment figures. It is measured by the quality of education available to every child. Education is the most powerful tool to overcome poverty, reduce social inequalities, and build a better future. Governments are expected to protect and strengthen this foundation.
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However, under the banner of “educational reforms,” there appears to be a growing trend of merging and shutting down government schools. Closing schools on the pretext of declining student enrolment is not a solution to the problem; rather, it reflects a failure to address the root causes behind the decline. When a school in a village is closed, it is not just a building that disappears — it is a blow to the hopes and aspirations of an entire generation. Therefore, it is time to question the rationale behind these developments in the education system.
Taking Away Schools
According to recent reports, hundreds of government schools across Telangana are being merged or closed due to low student enrolment. The statistics published in newspapers indicate the seriousness of the situation. While the Right to Education Act emphasises that every child should have access to a school within a reasonable distance, government actions seem to be taking schools farther away from the very children they are meant to serve.
Reports suggest that nearly 213 government schools are facing the possibility of complete closure. It is estimated that 18,000 to 20,000 students may be directly affected by these decisions. At a time when enrolment in government schools is already declining, shutting down schools may aggravate the problem rather than solve it.
Ignoring the Root Cause
The government argues that low student strength is the primary reason for these measures. However, a fundamental question remains unanswered: Why has student enrolment declined in the first place? Inadequate teacher recruitment, lack of basic infrastructure, poor academic standards, and transportation difficulties in rural areas have all contributed to the problem. Without addressing these issues, can school closures truly be considered a solution?
Nearly 213 government schools in Telangana face closure, directly affecting around 20,000 students and deepening rural educational inequalities
The absence of a school in a village affects far more than education alone. Children from economically weaker families, particularly girls, are more likely to discontinue their studies when schools are located farther away. Parents often hesitate to send their children on long daily journeys, increasing the risk of school dropouts.
The proposed merger process involves shifting students from several schools to larger institutions. However, in rural areas where reliable transportation facilities are lacking, how practical is this arrangement? A young child travelling three to five kilometres—or even more—every day for education raises serious concerns that deserve clear answers from the government.
Education experts often point out that when enrolment falls, the answer is not to close schools but to improve their quality. Better teaching standards, digital learning facilities, improved infrastructure, and stronger academic support can attract students back to government schools. Many developed nations have adopted this approach successfully. Unfortunately, the easier option seems to be the elimination of schools rather than their revitalisation.
Misplaced Priorities
Another important aspect is the question of priorities. Governments are willing to spend thousands of crores on large-scale projects and publicity campaigns. Yet, when it comes to sustaining rural schools, expenditure is often portrayed as a burden. Closing a school is not merely about locking a building; it is about placing a lock on the future of an entire community.
The government justifies these decisions in the name of “quality education.” However, quality does not emerge from reducing the number of schools. It comes from increasing the number of teachers, improving facilities, and creating better learning opportunities for students. Closing schools because enrolment is low is akin to shutting down a hospital because it lacks adequate facilities instead of improving the services it provides.
Government schools continue to be the primary source of education for lakhs of families in rural areas. For parents who cannot afford expensive private school fees, these institutions remain a beacon of hope. If that hope is extinguished, social inequalities will only deepen further.
Education is not an expenditure; it is an investment in the future. A school is not merely a building; it is a sanctuary of dreams and opportunities for generations. Closing schools because student numbers have fallen is not educational reform — it is evidence of administrative failure. A government committed to strengthening education must focus on improving schools, not eliminating them.
True development is not reflected in the height of buildings but in the number of educated and empowered citizens. Even now, the government must reconsider its decisions, protect public schools, and take meaningful steps to strengthen the education system. For when a school closes, a village slips into darkness; but when a school survives, an entire generation moves towards light.
(The author is poet, writer and a columnist)
