Broken toilets, leaking roofs: Why India's 'cockroach' party wants to fix schools

A government-run primary school for girls in Khedi Kalan village, located in the outskirts of Delhi, appears well-maintained from the outside, having recently received a fresh coat of paint. However, beneath the surface lies a deteriorating condition that reflects broader issues facing public education in India. The road leading to the school is riddled with potholes filled with stagnant water, while inside, plaster peels off the ceilings, and four of the eight toilets are inoperable due to trash accumulation. Additionally, four of the nine classrooms are deemed unsafe and have been abandoned, leaving students without proper seating during rainy seasons. These conditions are emblematic of the challenges faced by numerous government schools, particularly in rural areas. According to official figures, over 94,000 government schools have shut down between the academic years 2014-15 and 2024-25. Some closures were attributed to consolidation efforts, yet enrollment numbers have declined as more families opt for private schooling. Despite these closures, experts and the Indian government’s National Education Policy advocate for increased investment, suggesting that spending 6% of GDP on education would be optimal for the nation. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement, has launched a campaign titled #SchoolThikKaro, aiming to draw attention to the dilapidated state of government schools and push for improvements. The CJP gained international recognition through a prolonged protest in Delhi, which led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this month. This protest followed the cancellation of NEET, India's largest medical entrance examination, due to a leaked question paper, resulting in approximately two million students needing to retake the test and causing multiple student suicides. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke highlighted the neglect of rural government schools, stating that children growing up in villages lack equal opportunities compared to their urban counterparts. He emphasized that inadequate facilities contribute to limited prospects for rural youth, often leading them to work in agriculture or as laborers. Dipke expressed concern over the unchanged conditions in rural schools despite visiting more than 20 institutions, finding none with adequate resources such as benches, bathrooms, drinking water, or modern educational tools. Dipke and other CJP leaders have utilized social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to share videos showcasing the dire conditions within these schools. Their posts depict leaking roofs, unclean toilets, children sitting on the floor, and frustrated students. The goal is to ensure that children receive basic amenities like benches, functional restrooms, clean drinking water, and access to technology-enhanced learning environments, thereby providing them with equitable educational opportunities akin to those available in major cities. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has not publicly responded to the CJP's campaign. Efforts to obtain a statement from India's education ministry remain pending. As the CJP continues its advocacy, the spotlight remains on the urgent need for reform and investment in public education infrastructure across India.