Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has asked multiple States to take “remedial steps” to reverse the trend of students choosing private schools over government schools.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Enrolment Decline (Introduction, Statistics, Govt’s Concerns, Response, Way Forward, etc.)

Introduction

• The Union Ministry of Education has flagged a concerning trend in several Indian states where students are increasingly opting for private schools over government-run institutions.
• This shift, highlighted during recent Project Approval Board (PAB) meetings for the Samagra Shiksha scheme (2025-26), has prompted the Centre to urge states to identify the root causes and implement corrective measures.
• The issue underscores a growing challenge in India's public education system, where aspirations for quality learning environments are prompting a move away from government institutions.

The Enrolment Decline: States and Figures

• According to UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) 2023-24 data, the enrolment gap between government and private schools has widened across numerous states.
• Telangana:
  • Out of 42,901 schools, 70% are government schools, but they account for only 38.11% of enrolments, compared to 60.75% in private schools.
• Uttarakhand:
  • While 71.84% of schools are government-run, only 36.68% of students are enrolled in them, with unaided schools accounting for 54.39%.
• Andhra Pradesh:
  • The state has 73.32% government schools but only 46.33% enrolment in them. Private schools, with just 24.82% of the institutions, attract over 52% of the enrolment.
• Tamil Nadu:
  • Government schools comprise 64% of all schools but see only 37% enrolment. Private schools, despite being 21% of the total, account for 46% of student enrolment.
• Kerala and Maharashtra:
  • Both states reported declining enrolments in government and aided schools.
  • Maharashtra’s enrolment dropped from 1.63 crore in 2018-19 to 1.50 crore in 2023-24, while Kerala saw a drop from 46.37 lakh in 2022-23 to 45.50 lakh in 2023-24.
• Other Territories:
  • Similar patterns were observed in Delhi, Ladakh, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu.

Government’s Concerns and Response

• The Ministry of Education termed the trend “disturbing,” especially in light of the significant financial investment made in government schools.
• It emphasized that such enrolment shifts are occurring despite substantial expenditure under schemes like Samagra Shiksha and PM POSHAN.
• The ministry urged states to conduct a sincere and data-driven analysis to understand the reasons behind the exodus from government schools. Suggestions included:
• Identifying Structural Gaps:
  • Many government schools lack competitive infrastructure, digital resources, and sufficient teaching staff, pushing parents toward private alternatives.
• Improving Public Perception:
  • States were advised to focus on “government school branding” to enhance public trust and reverse enrolment trends.
• Using Data Smartly:
  • While Kerala and Maharashtra defended their numbers by citing verification-led clean-ups, the Ministry wants better distinction between technical data corrections and actual educational shifts.
• Junior Class Enrolment Dip:
  • The preference for private schools is particularly strong in early education stages, signalling the need for improving foundational literacy in government schools.

A Bigger Picture: Education Aspirations and Private School Surge

• The growing popularity of private schools highlights broader societal aspirations.
• Many families, even from low-income groups, believe private schools offer better English instruction, discipline, and exam preparedness.
• According to UDISE+ data, private school enrolment rose to over 9 crore (36%) of India’s total 24.80 crore student population in 2023-24, up from 33% in 2022-23.
• Even though the pandemic disrupted traditional schooling, the preference for private education has bounced back.
• In fact, the share of private school enrolment in the pre-pandemic year 2019-20 was 37%, showing that the trend is not new but now gaining sharper momentum.

Way Forward: Recommendations for States

• To counter the drift toward private education and restore faith in public schooling, the following steps are being emphasized:
• Upgrading Infrastructure: Providing basic facilities such as clean toilets, digital classrooms, and safe campuses.
• Teacher Training and Recruitment: Investing in quality teacher education and reducing pupil-teacher ratios.
• Outreach and Awareness Campaigns: Building a positive narrative around government schools and highlighting success stories.
• Leveraging Technology and Data: Using tools like APAAR IDs for better tracking of student movement and ensuring accurate enrolment figures.
• Community Participation: Encouraging school management committees (SMCs) to engage more with parents and local bodies for holistic development.