Back to School: The Official Reopening Date
After an extended summer break, schools across Uttar Pradesh are set to welcome students back for the new academic session. The Uttar Pradesh government has officially announced that both government and private schools under the Basic Education Council
will reopen on June 25, 2026. [6, 7, 12] This decision comes after the summer vacation period was revised and extended until June 24, a measure taken partly in response to the severe heatwave conditions often experienced in the state. [5, 6, 7] In a significant policy shift, the government has standardized this schedule for future years as well; summer vacation will now annually run from May 20 to June 24, aiming to create uniformity and avoid last-minute, district-level holiday extensions due to extreme weather. [3, 5]
Teachers Report Early for Preparations
To ensure a smooth start to the academic year, all teaching and non-teaching staff were directed to report to their schools a few days ahead of the students. [3] According to the revised schedule, teachers, Shiksha Mitras (para-teachers), and other staff were required to be present from June 22 to June 24. [5, 6] This preparatory phase is dedicated to crucial tasks such as finalizing lesson plans, making arrangements for the mid-day meal program, organizing textbook distribution, and ensuring all school facilities—including classrooms, kitchens, and toilets—are clean and functional. [3] The government has also placed emphasis on making smart classrooms and ICT labs operational before students return. [3]
Enrolment Drive: The 'School Chalo Abhiyan'
A major focus for the new academic session is increasing student enrolment. The state government's flagship 'School Chalo Abhiyan' is being conducted in multiple phases to ensure every child aged 6 to 14 receives free and compulsory education. [4] The first phase ran in April, with the second phase scheduled from July 1 to July 15, 2026. [9] The campaign's primary goal is to achieve 100% enrolment for the 2026-27 session by identifying and bringing back children who have dropped out or have never been enrolled in school. [4, 8, 9] This involves door-to-door surveys, community engagement, and awareness rallies. [8] Special efforts are being made to enrol girls and children from disadvantaged groups. [4, 11] To facilitate this, admission rules under the Right to Education (RTE) Act have been simplified, with the government clarifying that no child should be denied admission due to a lack of documents. [4, 10]
New Focus on Quality and Discipline
Alongside enrolment, the government is pushing for improvements in educational quality and school discipline. In recent review meetings, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized the need for strict punctuality from both teachers and students. [6] Directives have been issued to ensure that basic facilities like clean drinking water, functional toilets, and proper furniture are available in all schools. [3] The government is also looking to streamline the weekly study schedule as part of the New Education Policy's implementation. Proposed changes include reducing total weekly teaching hours to 29 and introducing 'bag-less' days to promote learning through experimental and oral methods. [19] These reforms aim to improve the overall learning experience and reduce the academic burden on students. [19]
