Number of government schools falls, but those with fewer than 10 students see a steady rise
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Education policy· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presented data in Parliament showing a decline in the total number of government schools and a rise in schools with fewer than 10 students.
Background
The total number of government schools decreased from 10.32 lakh in 2019-20 to 10.13 lakh in 2024-25. States like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana showed a rise in schools with zero or fewer than 10 student enrollments.
Facts for Prelims
- FactTotal government schools in 2024-25: 10.13 lakh
- FactTotal government schools in 2019-20: 10.32 lakh
- PlaceStates with rising low-enrollment schools: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana
- PostDharmendra Pradhan: Union Education Minister
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of declining school enrollments and shrinking school infrastructure on the achievement of universal education goals in India.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Infrastructure-Enrollment Mismatch: Rising number of under-utilized schools leading to inefficient resource allocation
- Jurisdictional Friction: Conflict between Central oversight and State-led teacher recruitment and deployment
- Rural-Urban Divide: Potential concentration of students in urban hubs leading to school closures in rural areas
Keywords: Universal Education · Resource Allocation · Federalism · Infrastructure Decay · Educational Access
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