Decline in enrollment of School Student

Decline in enrollment of School Student | UPSC Compass

Why in News?

Ministry of Education (MoE) data shows a fall of nearly 25 lakh students (aged 3–11) in enrolment (2024–25 vs. 2023–24).
Class 1–12 enrolment dropped by 11 lakh, hitting an all-time low since 2018–19.

What is the Issue?

Enrolment of 3–11 age group declined from 12.09 crore to 11.84 crore (a fall of 24.93 lakh).
Class 1–12 enrolment: 24.8 crore (2023–24) → 24.69 crore (2024–25).
Decline seen across government, aided, private, and other schools.
Historical trend:
- 26.3 crore (2012–13)
- 26 crore (2021–22)
- 25.18 crore (2022–23)
- 24.8 crore (2023–24)
- 24.69 crore (2024–25)
Data comparability issue post-2022–23 due to methodology change.

Causes of Decline

Demographic shift:
- Falling birth rates → fewer children of school-going age.
- TFR: 1.91 (NFHS-5, 2021) vs. Replacement level: 2.1.
- Only UP, Bihar, Meghalaya above replacement level.
Private pre-primary preference: Many children enrolled in standalone private institutions outside UDISE+ database.
Data gaps: GER and enrolment ratios still rely on 2011 Census, outdated.

Positive Outcomes

Increased enrolment:
- Middle school (Class 6–8): +6 lakh.
- Secondary school (Class 9–12): +8 lakh.
Improved GER:
- Middle: 89.5% → 90.3%.
- Secondary: 66.5% → 68.5%.
Dropout rates reduced:
- Preparatory: 3.7% → 2.3%.
- Middle: 5.2% → 3.5%.
- Secondary: 10.9% → 8.2%.
Better teacher-student ratio:
- Foundational: 1:10.
- Preparatory: 1:13.
- Middle: 1:17.
- Secondary: 1:21.

Challenges

Demographic challenge: Shrinking young population reduces natural enrolment base.
Unequal access: Rural, tribal, and marginalised communities may face higher exclusion.
Data reliability: Current figures depend on outdated 2011 Census, making GER and projections inaccurate.
Private vs. public divide: Growth of private pre-primary schools not fully captured in UDISE+.
Quality concerns: Despite better ratios, teacher training, infrastructure gaps, and learning outcomes remain weak.
Regional disparities: States with higher fertility may struggle with overcrowded schools, while others face underutilisation.

Way Forward

Update data sources: Integrate 2026 Census data for accurate enrolment projections.
Strengthen early education: Expand quality anganwadis and pre-primary integration with NEP 2020 framework.
Target vulnerable groups: Focus on rural, tribal, and disadvantaged children through special enrolment drives.
Public-private synergy: Recognise standalone private pre-schools within the official database.
Improve quality: Invest in teacher training, digital tools, and infrastructure to retain students.
Demographic planning:
- States with high fertility → expand schools.
- States with low fertility → improve quality to sustain enrolment.
Monitor dropouts: Strengthen counselling, mid-day meals, scholarships, and vocational linkages to sustain retention.

Quick Facts: UDISE+ Report

Full form: Unified District Information System for Education Plus.
Prepared by: Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L).
Released by: Ministry of Education (MoE).
Features:
- Unique UDISE+ code for every recognised school.
- Unique Educational ID (EID) for each student.
- Voluntary Child Aadhaar collection.
- Captures 60+ fields per student.
Aim: One Nation One Database.

Why in News?

Ministry of Education (MoE) data shows a fall of nearly 25 lakh students (aged 3–11) in enrolment (2024–25 vs. 2023–24).

Class 1–12 enrolment dropped by 11 lakh, hitting an all-time low since 2018–19.

What is the Issue?

Enrolment of 3–11 age group declined from 12.09 crore to 11.84 crore (a fall of 24.93 lakh).

Class 1–12 enrolment: 24.8 crore (2023–24) → 24.69 crore (2024–25).

Decline seen across government, aided, private, and other schools.

Historical trend:

26.3 crore (2012–13)

26 crore (2021–22)

25.18 crore (2022–23)

24.8 crore (2023–24)

24.69 crore (2024–25)

Data comparability issue post-2022–23 due to methodology change.

Causes of Decline

Demographic shift:

Falling birth rates → fewer children of school-going age.

TFR: 1.91 (NFHS-5, 2021) vs. Replacement level: 2.1.

Only UP, Bihar, Meghalaya above replacement level.

Private pre-primary preference: Many children enrolled in standalone private institutions outside UDISE+ database.

Data gaps: GER and enrolment ratios still rely on 2011 Census, outdated.

Positive Outcomes

Increased enrolment:

Middle school (Class 6–8): +6 lakh.

Secondary school (Class 9–12): +8 lakh.

Improved GER:

Middle: 89.5% → 90.3%.

Secondary: 66.5% → 68.5%.

Dropout rates reduced:

Preparatory: 3.7% → 2.3%.

Middle: 5.2% → 3.5%.

Secondary: 10.9% → 8.2%.

Better teacher-student ratio:

Foundational: 1:10.

Preparatory: 1:13.

Middle: 1:17.

Secondary: 1:21.

Challenges

Demographic challenge: Shrinking young population reduces natural enrolment base.

Unequal access: Rural, tribal, and marginalised communities may face higher exclusion.

Data reliability: Current figures depend on outdated 2011 Census, making GER and projections inaccurate.

Private vs. public divide: Growth of private pre-primary schools not fully captured in UDISE+.

Quality concerns: Despite better ratios, teacher training, infrastructure gaps, and learning outcomes remain weak.

Regional disparities: States with higher fertility may struggle with overcrowded schools, while others face underutilisation.

Way Forward

Update data sources: Integrate 2026 Census data for accurate enrolment projections.

Strengthen early education: Expand quality anganwadis and pre-primary integration with NEP 2020 framework.

Target vulnerable groups: Focus on rural, tribal, and disadvantaged children through special enrolment drives.

Public-private synergy: Recognise standalone private pre-schools within the official database.

Improve quality: Invest in teacher training, digital tools, and infrastructure to retain students.

Demographic planning:

States with high fertility → expand schools.

States with low fertility → improve quality to sustain enrolment.

Monitor dropouts: Strengthen counselling, mid-day meals, scholarships, and vocational linkages to sustain retention.

Quick Facts: UDISE+ Report

Full form: Unified District Information System for Education Plus.

Prepared by: Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L).

Released by: Ministry of Education (MoE).

Features:

Unique UDISE+ code for every recognised school.

Unique Educational ID (EID) for each student.

Voluntary Child Aadhaar collection.

Captures 60+ fields per student.

Aim: One Nation One Database.