India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Just few days after GenZ’s nationwide protest over exam reforms which led to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, it is now Gen Alpha that is making headlines in Uttar Pradesh. A group students from a government-aided school in Fatehpur district staged a protest demanding basic facilities such as electricity, clean drinking water and better classroom infrastructure.
Holding placards and photographs of BR Ambedkar, students of Sarvodaya Inter College in Kishanpur staged a took to the streets against the poor state of basic facilities at their school. They demanded electricity, clean drinking water, better classroom ventilation, and improved infrastructure. In a glimpse of how student activism is evolving, some of the protesters used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create their posters.
Students in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh protested Sarvodaya Inter College’s lack of basic facilities, receiving written assurances from the administration. This follows SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s accusation of the state government shutting 22,000 primary schools, which Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh refuted, citing mergers instead of closures.
Students also alleged that the school was charging extra money for mark sheets and other documents while failing to provide basic amenities such as clean drinking water, adequate fans and a proper electricity supply. Some students also raised concerns over arbitrary admission fees.
Gen Alpha taking control!
In UPs Fatehpur, students with banners and placards protest outside the school main gate demanding better amenities inside the premises. pic.twitter.com/WjPGQ80mlx
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 28, 2026
Authorities Step In, Students Get Written Assurances
As the protest gained momentum, police personnel arrived at the school premises and district education officials intervened to hold discussions with both the students and the school administration.
The school administration gave students written assurances that four fans would be installed in every classroom within 24 hours, faulty electrical wiring would be repaired, an RO water cooler would be installed, and desks and benches would be provided within a month.
After receiving the written assurances, the students withdrew their protest.
Some students also alleged that they had been threatened with failing their examinations for raising these issues, a claim that was denied by the school administration.
The school administration maintained that it remained committed to addressing the concerns raised by students.
“Our objective is to ensure that students receive quality education in a conducive environment. The concerns raised by the students are being addressed in coordination with the education department,” a senior school official said.
District education officials later said the matter had been resolved amicably, classes had resumed as usual and no disciplinary action had been taken against any student who participated in the protest.
The Fatehpur protest comes just days after the CJP-led nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks energised student politics across the country.
The Fatehpur episode also comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh’s education system has become the subject of a political debate.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of weakening public education by shutting thousands of primary schools in the name of mergers and depriving disadvantaged communities of quality education.
The former UP chief minister claimed that nearly 22,000 primary schools in the state had effectively been shut through mergers.
“Primary schools are being closed across the country, but Uttar Pradesh has seen the highest number — around 22,000. Even if it is being done in the name of mergers, schools have been shut. A large number of such schools are in Gorakhpur, the chief minister’s home district,” he said.
UP Government Rejects Opposition’s Claims
Responding to the allegations, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh said no government primary school had been shut in the state.
“I challenge his statement with facts. The Uttar Pradesh government has not taken any decision to close any Basic Education Council school. All government schools are functioning,” Singh said in a video statement.
According to the minister, schools with low enrolment had only been merged with nearby institutions, while the vacated buildings were now being used for pre-primary classes and Bal Vatikas.
“Akhilesh Yadav knows that after the 2027 Assembly elections his party is not going to form the government in Uttar Pradesh. That is why he is making baseless statements to mislead the people,” he added.
Singh also claimed that enrolment in government schools had increased, dropout rates had fallen and infrastructure had improved under the Yogi Adityanath government.
