The last decade of school education in Delhi has been nothing short of a disaster. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Alis Kejiriwal government, which came to power with promises of revolutionizing education, has not only failed to deliver but has actively undermined the system. Despite receiving substantial funds from the central government, the AAP administration has spent less than half of the allocated money on education. This negligence is a betrayal of the children of Delhi and their futures.
The state of government schools in Delhi speaks volumes about this neglect. Broken infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and an alarming shortage of teachers paint a grim picture. While the AAP government claims to have built a few “world-class” schools, the majority of students are left in dilapidated conditions. The much-touted “Delhi Model” of education is a smokescreen, hiding the harsh realities that most parents and children face daily.
The central government’s funds were meant to uplift the education system, yet they remain underutilized. Why has AAP failed to spend this money? Is it incompetence, lack of vision, or sheer indifference? The children of Delhi deserve answers. Promises of education reform ring hollow when resources are left untouched and priorities lie elsewhere.
AAP’s focus on publicity over policy has derailed Delhi’s education system. Instead of building new schools or hiring qualified teachers, the government has invested heavily in self-promotion. Billboards and advertisements tout achievements that exist only on paper. Real progress in education cannot be achieved through PR campaigns but through consistent and dedicated efforts to improve the system.
The negligence is particularly glaring when compared to the central BJP government’s New Education Policy (NEP). While the NEP is focused on holistic learning, skill development, and modern teaching methods, Delhi’s schools are stuck in a time warp, thanks to AAP’s lack of action. The NEP has set a roadmap for progress, but AAP has chosen to ignore it, leaving students at a disadvantage.
For a government that boasts about its focus on governance, its failure to prioritize education is appalling. Education is the foundation of any society, and its neglect impacts generations. AAP’s inability to effectively utilize funds has not only wasted taxpayers’ money but has also shattered the hopes of countless families.
The so-called “education revolution” is a myth. Behind the glossy advertisements lies a system in shambles, where students are denied even basic facilities. The AAP government’s apathy has robbed these children of their right to quality education and better opportunities. Instead of addressing the urgent needs of Delhi’s schools, the AAP government has chosen to focus on vote-bank politics and freebies. This shortsightedness is costing the city’s children dearly. The failure is undeniable, and the impact is devastating. Parents who once believed in the promises of change now feel cheated. Students, who are the future of the nation, have been left to struggle in substandard conditions. This is not governance; this is sabotage.
The question arises: Why has AAP failed to take education seriously? Is it because the results of investment in education are not immediate? Is it because education doesn’t win elections as quickly as populist schemes do? Whatever the reason, the damage done to Delhi’s education system over the last 10 years is unforgivable.
The central government has stepped in repeatedly to offer resources and support, yet the AAP government continues to squander these opportunities. It is a stark reminder that resources without accountability lead to nothing. The citizens of Delhi should demand better.
It is high time for change. AAP’s failed leadership in education has gone on long enough. The children of Delhi deserve more than false promises and glossy ads—they deserve real opportunities. The central government’s efforts to introduce reforms and allocate resources must be met with responsible governance, not political gimmicks. The last 10 years have shown us what happens when a government prioritizes its image over its responsibilities. AAP’s track record in education is not just a failure—it is a disgrace. It is time to hold them accountable and demand better for the future of Delhi’s children.
The message is clear: Education is too important to be left in the hands of those who do not value it. The voters of Delhi must remember this when they go to the polls. The damage done to education over the last decade cannot be undone overnight, but with the right leadership, the path to recovery can begin.
Delhi’s children deserve more than empty promises—they deserve a government that truly cares about their future. AAP has failed them for 10 years. It’s time for change.
The education system in Delhi needs a complete overhaul, and that begins with accountability. AAP’s negligence has resulted in wasted opportunities, underutilized funds, and a system that fails its most vulnerable citizens—children. The government’s repeated claims of success in education are nothing but a façade designed to mislead voters and cover up the ground reality. The truth is, education is not a priority for AAP. If it were, Delhi wouldn’t have classrooms packed beyond capacity, students sitting on the floor, or schools without basic amenities. What kind of future can we expect for children who are denied even the most fundamental tools for learning?
AAP’s leadership has displayed an alarming disregard for the well-being of students. Even when the central government has provided a steady stream of resources, AAP has chosen to divert its focus elsewhere. This not only shows incompetence but also exposes a blatant lack of concern for the people who trusted them. A decade is a long time, long enough to revolutionize education in any city. Instead, Delhi has been left behind while other states in India have made significant progress in implementing reforms. This gap only underscores AAP’s failure to rise to the challenge and deliver on its promises. The arrogance of the AAP leadership is equally concerning. Instead of accepting responsibility and addressing these failures, they continue to blame others. Whether it’s the central government, political rivals, or even the citizens themselves, the finger-pointing never ends. But excuses don’t solve problems—action does.
One of the most glaring examples of AAP’s failure is the condition of teacher recruitment and training. A good education system requires dedicated and qualified teachers, but Delhi’s schools are suffering from a severe shortage. Teachers are overburdened, underpaid, and undervalued, and the AAP government has done little to address this. The mismanagement extends to the curriculum as well. While the rest of the country is moving forward with modern, skill-based education aligned with the New Education Policy, Delhi’s students are stuck with outdated methods and irrelevant content. This disparity puts them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other states.
What makes this even worse is the false narrative that AAP has created around its “education model.” The government spends more on advertisements than on actual education reforms, creating an illusion of progress that does not exist. This kind of deception is unacceptable when the stakes are so high.
Moreover, the government’s inability to address issues like drop-out rates and access to education for underprivileged communities is appalling. While AAP leaders pat themselves on the back for their so-called achievements, thousands of children in Delhi are denied the right to education. This is a crime against the very idea of progress. AAP’s failure to tackle the pollution crisis in schools is another indictment of their priorities. Students are forced to study in unsafe environments where air quality is hazardous. How can a government claim to care about education when it cannot even ensure a safe learning environment? The issue of school management is another black mark on AAP’s governance. Corruption and inefficiency have plagued the administration, leading to mismanagement of funds and resources. Instead of focusing on delivering quality education, the government has allowed bureaucratic hurdles and red tape to suffocate the system. The central government has provided multiple opportunities for collaboration, yet AAP has chosen to politicize these initiatives rather than work together for the betterment of Delhi’s students. Their refusal to rise above petty politics has cost the city dearly.
It is the responsibility of every government to prioritize education, but AAP has not just neglected this duty—they have actively sabotaged it. This betrayal is unforgivable, and it is the children of Delhi who are paying the price. The voters of Delhi must recognize the gravity of the situation. The last 10 years have shown us what happens when governance is replaced by propaganda. AAP has failed to deliver on its promises, and the city’s education system is in shambles as a result.
Delhi needs leaders who understand the value of education, not politicians who see it as just another talking point. The Narendra Modi government has laid the groundwork with policies like the NEP, but these initiatives can only succeed if implemented with sincerity and dedication. It is time for Delhi to demand accountability from its leaders. AAP’s record in education is a disgrace, and the city deserves better. The future of Delhi’s children depends on it. This is not just about politics—it is about the fundamental right of every child to quality education and a better future. The Kejriwal government has had 10 years to make a difference, and they have failed spectacularly. Their time is up. The voters of Delhi must act decisively and bring in a government that truly values education and understands its importance in shaping the future of the nation.
(Author is a resident of Delhi’s Jangpura Constituency & Professor in Comparative Literature. Email: [email protected])
