Font size:
Print
School Enrolment Decline in 3-11 Age Group: Reveals UDISE+ Report
School Enrolment Crisis in 3-11 Age Group: UDISE+ Reports Alarming 25 Lakh Drop
Context: India’s latest UDISE+ 2024-25 data reveals a sharp decline of nearly 25 lakh students in the 3–11 age group and an overall fall in school enrolment to its lowest since 2018-19, raising concerns over demographic shifts, migration, and access gaps. At the same time, improved dropout rates, GER, and teacher-student ratios highlight that while enrollment is shrinking, the quality and retention of education are showing positive trends.
How have retention and quality indicators evolved despite falling enrolment?
- Dropout Rates Decline: UDISE+ 2024-25 shows notable progress: dropout rates fell from 3.7% to 2.3% in preparatory stages, 5.2% to 3.5% in middle school, and 10.9% to 8.2% in secondary school.
- This reflects stronger retention due to schemes like PM Poshan and direct benefit transfers for uniforms, books, and bicycles.
- Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) Improvement: Even with declining numbers, GER has improved—rising to 90.3% at middle level and 68.5% at secondary level in 2024-25.
- The Economic Survey 2023-24 attributes this to better transitions from upper primary to secondary stages, aided by NEP 2020 reforms.
- Teacher-Student Ratio: Quality of learning is improving as teacher availability rises. In 2014-15, the ratio at foundational level was 1:15, but by 2024-25 it improved to 1:10, ensuring greater attention to individual students. Similar gains are seen across preparatory, middle, and secondary stages.
What efforts have been taken to address the low enrolment rate?
- Central Government Initiatives:
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): The flagship scheme integrates pre-primary to Class 12 with interventions in access, equity, and quality. The Economic Survey 2023-24 noted that SSA’s pre-primary coverage is expanding to align with the NEP 2020 mandate of universalising Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
- PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme: Redesigned to include preschool children in Anganwadis, this acts as an incentive for enrolment and retention at foundational levels.
- Digital Tracking via UDISE+: With 19.7 crore students’ Aadhaar details integrated (2023-24), targeted interventions are easier, ensuring scholarships and benefits reach actual beneficiaries.
- State Government Initiatives (Examples):
- Tamil Nadu’s Illam Thedi Kalvi Scheme: Provides bridge education at community level to reintegrate out-of-school children.
- Delhi’s Early Childhood Education in Anganwadis: Integration of play-based learning for ages 3–6 has improved transition into Class 1.
- Rajasthan’s Migration Mapping: The state has started tracking migrant children through real-time school databases, reducing dropouts in seasonal migration belts (Down To Earth, 2024).
- Infrastructure and Teacher Improvement: UDISE+ 2024-25 shows the teacher-student ratio improved significantly—from 1:15 (2014-15) to 1:10 (2024-25) at the foundational stage. This aligns with NEP’s focus on personalised learning environments to retain students.
