LUCKNOW, July 31 -- Despite protests by political parties and opposition from a number of teachers, parents, students and a legal battle, the state government has refused to buckle under any pressure and gone ahead with the school merger plan, pairing close to 10,000 primary, upper primary schools this month. The exact number will be made known in the first week of August when the entire process is completed after addressing stakeholders' complaints.

Talking to Hindustan Times, additional chief secretary, basic education, Deepak Kumar said about 9000 to 10,000 government-run primary and upper primary schools have been merged (or paired) and added that exact number will be shared with the press in August when the process is completed.

"I...