Sanjay Raut Claims Over 2,000 Schools Shut in Maharashtra, Blames Shinde Government

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that more than 2,000 schools have been closed across Maharashtra under the Eknath Shinde-led government, accusing the ruling alliance of undermining the state's public education system.

Addressing reporters, Raut claimed the closures have disproportionately affected students in rural and tribal regions, where government-run schools often serve as the primary source of education. He alleged that the policy would force children to travel longer distances to attend school, increasing the risk of dropouts.

"The government is weakening Maharashtra's education system instead of strengthening it," Raut said, urging the state administration to reconsider its decision and prioritise access to education for children in remote areas.

The allegations come amid an ongoing debate over the Maharashtra government's school rationalisation programme. Officials have maintained that the exercise involves merging or reorganising schools with very low enrolment to optimise the use of teachers, infrastructure and financial resources rather than indiscriminately shutting educational institutions.

The state government has argued that the objective is to improve the quality of education by ensuring students have access to better facilities, qualified teachers and enhanced learning environments. It has also stated that students affected by mergers are being accommodated in nearby schools.

Raut, however, questioned the rationale behind the exercise, alleging that administrative efficiency should not come at the cost of educational access. He urged the government to invest in improving enrolment and infrastructure instead of reducing the number of functioning schools.

The issue has triggered a political exchange between the opposition and the ruling Mahayuti alliance, with opposition parties accusing the government of neglecting public education. The ruling coalition has rejected the allegations, asserting that its reforms are intended to strengthen the education sector rather than weaken it.

Education experts note that school consolidation has been adopted in several states to address declining enrolment and teacher shortages. However, they caution that such measures should be implemented carefully to ensure they do not adversely affect students, particularly those in geographically isolated areas.

As the controversy continues, the Maharashtra government is expected to provide further clarification on the scope of the rationalisation programme and the exact number of schools affected. The opposition has indicated that it will continue raising the issue both inside and outside the state legislature.