The “School Chalo Abhiyan” launched by the government of Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a significant initiative aimed at achieving universal school enrollment and strengthening the state’s basic education system.
The 2026 “School Chalo Campaign”, inaugurated in Varanasi for the 2026–27 academic session, reflects the UP Government’s continued emphasis on ensuring that no child is deprived of education. Statistics reveal that enrollment under the campaign was 1.9 crore (19 Million) children were enrolled in primary and upper primary schools during the campaign peak phase in 2022.
Over 40 lakh (4 million) additional students were enrolled in schools over a span of about four years under the campaign. Special drives identified and enrolled nearly 3.9 lakh out-of-school children and Over 2.5 lakh children with disabilities The current 2026 campaign aims to bring back around 1.5 lakh dropout children into schools.This shows a continued focus not just on fresh admissions but also on retention and re-entry.
The School Chalo Abhiyan has clearly succeeded in boosting enrollment and reducing dropouts, especially in its early years. However, recent data shows that maintaining those numbers is a challenge, making the current campaigns more focused on bringing students back and sustaining participation, not just enrolling them once.
The campaign is being conducted in two phases from April 1 to April 15 and July 1 to July 15, 2026 across all districts of the state. Its primary objective is to identify and enroll out-of-school children, especially those who have dropped out or never attended school. The initiative targets children in the 6–14 age group and aligns with the broader goal of achieving 100% enrollment in primary and upper primary schools.
A key feature of the campaign is its community-driven approach. Teachers, parents, local representatives, and government officials actively participate in awareness drives, rallies, and enrollment campaigns, transforming it into a mass movement. The government also supports students by distributing free textbooks, school bags, uniforms, and other learning materials, thereby reducing financial barriers to education.
The campaign places special emphasis on marginalized groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Efforts are being made to ensure smooth transitions from Anganwadi centers to formal schooling and between different class levels. Additionally, digital tools and tracking systems are used to identify dropout students and bring them back into the education system.
Since its inception, the initiative has contributed to a significant decline in dropout rates and improved school infrastructure. Overall, the “School Chalo Abhiyan” represents a comprehensive and inclusive effort by the Yogi government to promote education as a fundamental right and a driver of social change.
