LUCKNOW, May 26 -- Uttar Pradesh basic education minister (independent Charge) Sandeep Singh, on Monday said the state's school education infrastructure has undergone a large-scale transformation under Operation Kayakalp, with 1,32,852 council schools redesigned so far at a cost of Rs.11,000 crore. In 2017, only 36% of schools met the required standards. This figure has now crossed 96%, he said.

As part of improving access to girls' education, 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been upgraded to intermediate level. Among these, 683 schools now have smart classrooms, ICT labs, additional rooms, and hostels, Singh said. "A new initiative called the 'Curiosity Program' in collaboration with IIT Gandhinagar has also been intro...