The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has initiated a new campaign, #SchoolThikKaro (#FixTheSchool), to draw attention to the deteriorating infrastructure in government schools across India. The campaign seeks to pressure authorities to address these issues, particularly in rural areas.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that government schools, especially in rural India, have been neglected for decades, leading to unequal opportunities for children. Dipke reported visiting over 20 rural schools and finding none in good condition, citing issues such as a lack of benches, bathrooms, and drinking water.
India's expenditure on education is 4.1% of its GDP, which meets Unesco's lower minimum threshold but is below the 6% recommended by experts and the Indian government's own National Education Policy. Official data shows that 94,000 government schools closed between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with some merged and enrolment falling as demand for private schools increased.
The CJP's previous protests in Delhi culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last month, following the cancellation of the NEET medical entrance exam due to a question paper leak. The current campaign has reportedly emboldened students across India, with many posting videos on social media highlighting school conditions, some of which have prompted local authorities to act.
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party have not commented on the campaign. The BBC has contacted India's education ministry for a response.