Following electoral gains in Bengal and Assam, the Bhartiya Janta Party has now shifted its full political focus to Uttar Pradesh, where the contest between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) is increasingly centred on narrative-building ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
From the Yogi Adityanath government’s side, several developments and programmes including political references to incidents in other states, arrests linked to alleged terror conspiracies, and the organisation of “Shiksha Mitra Samman Samaroh” aimed at increasing honorarium for teachers and instructors are being seen as part of its broader strategy.
Political analysts estimate that each Shiksha Mitra influences around 10 voters in Uttar Pradesh. Based on this assumption, the party is reportedly looking to connect with nearly 17 lakh voters through a network of about 1.68 lakh Shiksha Mitras and instructors.
At the same time, the party is also attempting to counter questions being raised over the merger of government schools. Meanwhile, the opposition, sensing the political implications, is actively working to build a counter-narrative on the issue.
Influence seen as key factor in 43 assembly seats
Shiksha Mitras are believed to have a significant impact on more than 43 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, supported by their families and wider social networks. The state has around 1.68 lakh Shiksha Mitras and instructors.
According to political analysts, each Shiksha Mitra is estimated to influence around 10 voters, including family members, relatives and neighbours. On this basis, their combined influence is believed to extend to nearly 16.80 lakh voters.
This translates to an average influence of around 4,000 voters per assembly seat. In the 2022 Assembly elections, nearly 43 constituencies saw victory margins of less than 4,000 votes, with the BJP winning 25 of these seats and the SP securing 18.
Against this backdrop, the BJP’s move to enhance honorarium, insurance coverage and cashless treatment benefits for Shiksha Mitras and instructors is being seen as an attempt to strengthen its position in closely contested constituencies ahead of the next elections.
Now understand the politics related to Shiksha Mitras
Shiksha Mitras’ political tilt shaped by past recruitment and court rulings
Shiksha Mitras and instructors are widely viewed in political circles as having a traditional inclination towards the Samajwadi Party (SP).
During its tenure, the Akhilesh government had decided to absorb Shiksha Mitras into government schools as assistant teachers. As part of this process, around 58,000 Shiksha Mitras were appointed in June 2014, followed by about 91,000 in April 2015.
This transition significantly increased their salaries to approximately ₹35,000–₹40,000. However, the decision was later struck down first by the High Court and subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
Apart from increase in honorarium no major changes were introduced by BJP
When the BJP came to power, there were expectations of relief for Shiksha Mitras. However, apart from an increase in honorarium from ₹3,500 to ₹10,000, no major changes were introduced.
This led to a perception among many Shiksha Mitras that their broader demands were not being addressed by the BJP government. As a result, in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2022 Assembly elections, a large section is believed to have openly supported the SP, hoping for reinstatement as assistant teachers if the SP returned to power.
Shiksha Mitras were made permanent in 2024-15 when Akhilesh Yadav was Chief Minister. Mulayam Singh had also supported his decision.
In 2022, BJP did not allow Shiksha Mitras to become polling agents
Observing the perceived political leaning of Shiksha Mitras towards the SP, the BJP is said to have restricted their role as polling agents during the 2022 Assembly elections.
After the BJP’s return to power, the situation gradually began to change. Engagements between Shiksha Mitra organisations and the government were interpreted as a signal that their concerns were being taken more seriously.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also interacted with them during the ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’, which helped raise expectations regarding long-pending demands such as regularisation and a 12-month honorarium.
Following these developments, the earlier confrontational stance of many Shiksha Mitras appeared to soften. The government later announced an increase in their honorarium, which was also included in the budget and implemented from April this year.
The picture is from September 2017. Shiksha Mitras protested semi-naked against the Yogi government’s order of 10 thousand rupees honorarium and return to primary schools.
SP targets BJP government over school merger issue
Despite the recent increase in honorarium, the Samajwadi Party has continued its criticism, highlighting that during its tenure Shiksha Mitras were made assistant teachers with salaries of around ₹35,000–₹40,000, and asserting that such benefits would be restored if it returns to power.
The party is also attempting to build public sentiment against the government over the merger of government schools, using initiatives such as ‘PDA Pathshala’.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has also been active on social media platform X, posting messages and letters addressed to Shiksha Mitras, recalling their appointment as teachers during the SP regime.
Overall, the opposition appears to be focusing on sustaining dissatisfaction among Shiksha Mitras against the current government. As part of this effort, the Teachers’ Assembly has also been mobilised, with the party projecting itself as the only political force capable of resolving their long-standing issues.
CM Yogi highlights welfare measures for Shiksha Mitras
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cautioned Shiksha Mitras and instructors to remain alert against what he termed as attempts to mislead them for political gains.
He made these remarks on May 5 at the Shiksha Mitra Samman Samaroh in Gorakhpur, stating that earlier governments had appointed teachers without proper provisions, a decision later invalidated by the Supreme Court.
The Chief Minister said, “The current government continued to support Shiksha Mitras. In 2017, the honorarium was increased to ₹10,000, and later further enhanced to ₹18,000”.
He also alleged, “Some individuals had tried to exploit Shiksha Mitras for political purposes and draw them into opposition-driven narratives. The government had stood with them once their concerns were understood”.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over checks of increased honorarium to Shiksha Mitras at a ceremony on May 5.
2027 election targeted with triple cover announcement
- Mutual transfer facility will be provided.
- Accounts will be opened in the same bank to get insurance cover.
- Shiksha Mitras and instructors will get cashless treatment facility up to 5 lakh rupees along with family.
Higher honorarium pushes annual burden to over ₹1,475 crore
The honorarium of around 1.29 lakh Shiksha Mitras in Uttar Pradesh is disbursed under the Centre’s Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan on a 60:40 funding pattern between the Centre and the state. In addition, there are 13,597 Shiksha Mitras whose entire payment is borne by the Uttar Pradesh government.
With the recent increase in honorarium, the state government’s financial liability has risen significantly, amounting to ₹1,257.77 crore.
Similarly, the revision in honorarium for 24,717 instructors working in upper primary schools has added an additional burden of ₹217.50 crore.
Overall, the combined annual financial impact on the state exchequer has now reached approximately ₹1,475.27 crore.
