India, Aug. 20 -- In July and August 2026, at least 10 states and 25 districts have reported protests by school students on issues ranging from teacher shortages and poor classrooms to drinking water, food, electricity and safe access to schools.

The school education system has improved on several access and infrastructure indicators, according to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 report, released by the Union Ministry of Education on August 17, 2026.

But the recent protests point to a gap between the rights promised to children on paper and the conditions many of them continue to experience in schools. These rights are recognised under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as well ...