India’s Gen Alpha School Protests Expose Official Data Gaps

Students at schools in several parts of India are protesting because their classrooms and facilities are in poor condition.

They say some roofs leak, toilets do not work, drinking water is dirty or unavailable, and there are not enough fans or teachers.

Government records say that nearly all government schools have toilets and drinking water.

However, reports from the protesting schools show that these facilities may not actually work properly.

The records are filled out by school principals.

Activists say principals may feel pressured to make their schools look better than they are.

Students have marched, held sit-ins and shared videos of their schools.

In some places, officials promised to make repairs after the protests.

Activists hope the demonstrations will lead to a larger movement to improve schools.