The Ministry of Education (MOE) released its latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2022-23 and 2023-24, revealing a steep decline in school enrollment in India. The total enrollment across grades 1-12 dropped by 1.22 crore students, or 6%, compared to earlier years. This dramatic fall from 26.3 crore students in 2012-13 to 24.8 crore students in 2023-24 has raised serious questions about the country’s educational landscape and data accuracy, as well as the state of government-run schools.
This drop is not just a statistical anomaly but a significant indicator of changes in India’s school ecosystem, potentially tied to revised methodologies of data collection, the elimination of duplications, and infrastructural challenges like school mergers or closures.
How Has Data Collection Changed, and Why Is It Controversial?
The MOE implemented a significant change in data collection methodology for UDISE+ starting in 2022-23. This system involves the collection of individual-level student data, including Aadhaar details. While this process aims to eliminate duplicate enrollments, it has sparked debate about its reliability and implications.
Education expert Arun Mehta, who has worked on UDISE reports for over 15 years, points out that similar exercises were attempted in 2016-17 but abandoned after a year. With its reintroduction in 2022-23, concerns emerged regarding inflated enrollment figures from past years being corrected, leading to an overestimation of students by about 5-6% in previous data. As a result, the recent data suggests more realistic enrollment numbers, but it raises questions about where these “missing” students are and whether past figures were used improperly for purposes like allocating scholarships, free meals, textbooks, or cash benefits under schemes such as Samagra Shiksha.
A critical concern is the sharp discrepancy in school coverage under UDISE+. The total number of schools covered dropped from 15,58,903 in 2017-18 to 14,71,891 in 2023-24, with 76,883 government schools fewer in the latest report. This decline has not been adequately explained by the ministry, prompting speculation about school closures or mergers that might have breached Right to Education (RTE) norms requiring one primary school within a kilometer.
What Are the Impacts of School Closures and Mergers on Enrollment?
The shutting down or merging of schools has direct consequences for student enrollment and attendance, especially in rural areas. Jammu and Kashmir experienced the highest decline in the number of schools, with 4,509 fewer schools in operation. Other significantly affected states include Assam (4,229), Uttar Pradesh (2,967), Madhya Pradesh (2,170), and Maharashtra (1,368).
This reduction in school availability has led to a disruption in students’ educational continuity. Parents often face challenges in seeking readmission for their children at nearby schools, particularly when the distances to the new schools increase. Prof. Mehta notes that this process is not automatic, leading to a loss of students who drop out altogether when their families are unable or unwilling to re-enroll them in distant institutions.
Why Has There Been a Decline in Enrollment, Particularly in Government Schools?
The drop in enrollment affects both government and private schools, but the former has borne the brunt of the reduction. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, enrollment declined further by 37 lakh students, with no clear explanations offered by the UDISE+ reports. The decline is disproportionately higher in government-run schools, potentially reflecting a shift in parental preferences toward private institutions or alternative forms of education.
Concerns also arise from the declining trust in government schools, as evidenced by reduced funding efficiency. For example, while allocations under the Samagra Shiksha scheme increased to ₹7,010 crore in 2024-25, questions persist about whether funds have been effectively utilized in the face of falling student numbers. This period saw substantial resources allocated for mid-day meals, textbooks, and other incentives, raising concerns about whether these funds adequately reached beneficiaries.
What Indicators Are Available Despite the Data Methodology Debate?
Despite differences in data collection methodology, UDISE+ reports provide important efficiency indicators, such as dropout, transition, and retention rates. Prof. Mehta argues that while indicators and ratios depend on different datasets, they reflect the situation at specific points, and comparisons can still be insightful. Even with revamped data systems, enrollment in 2022-23 and 2023-24 declined significantly, suggesting deeper systemic issues.
The reports also highlight the decreasing coverage of schools in rural and underprivileged regions, emphasizing the urgent need for actionable policies. However, the lack of clarity about whether school closures adhered to RTE norms raises additional concerns about accessibility for children, particularly in remote regions.
Which States Are the Most Severely Affected?
State-level data underscores the unequal impact of enrollment declines across India. Jammu and Kashmir’s sharp drop in school numbers, coupled with lingering infrastructural challenges in conflict-affected regions, has resulted in significant setbacks in student education. Similarly, states such as Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have witnessed worrying trends, indicating the need for region-specific strategies to counter the loss in enrollment.
These states face varied challenges, including population displacement, infrastructure inadequacies, and a lack of trained teaching personnel. Efforts to address the issue of enrollment, particularly for students in marginalized communities, must prioritize strengthening local infrastructure, ensuring proximity to schools, and enhancing the quality of education in these states.
What Are the Broader Implications for India’s Education Sector?
The decline in school enrollment, when viewed in light of falling school numbers, paints a troubling picture for India’s education sector. Several important points emerge:
- Structural Issues in Education Delivery: The loss of over 76,000 government schools in the latest data suggests potential lapses in governance, as closures have impacted rural and marginalized populations the most. This trend needs to be reversed through improved resource allocation and better adherence to RTE norms.
- The Role of Private Education: The steady shift of parents toward private education could be a factor in the observed declines. The quality disparity between public and private education raises questions about equitable access for economically weaker sections.
- Funding and Accountability: Despite the steep decline in enrollment, funding for education schemes like Samagra Shiksha has seen an upward trend. A comprehensive audit of how these funds are utilized and whether they reach intended beneficiaries could help bridge accountability gaps.
In summary, while revisions in data methodology offer a more accurate reflection of student enrollment, the realities on the ground reveal deeper challenges. The significant drop in enrollment numbers and shrinking school coverage demand urgent reforms to stabilize and rejuvenate India’s education system. Enhanced transparency, improved infrastructure, and region-specific measures are critical to ensuring the promise of universal education for all children in India.