Nearly 94,000 government schools closed or merged between 2014-15 and 2024-25. This decline saw student enrollment in government institutions fall below 50% for the first time. The NITI Aayog report, "School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement," details these trends.
Reasons for School Closures
Government school closures stem from multiple factors. Many states merged schools with low student numbers to improve resources. Falling birth rates and migration also reduced enrollment. A growing preference for private schools, including low-fee options, is a key driver. Parents seek perceived better learning and English-medium instruction.
Government school enrollment dropped from about 71% in 2005 to 49.24% by 2024-25. This marks a significant shift in the education landscape.
States with Major Declines
Several states saw substantial reductions in government schools or a sharp drop in enrollment. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh accounted for nearly 40,000 mergers or closures combined. Jammu & Kashmir recorded a sharp decline, affecting approximately 4,443 schools.
Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana experienced shifts. These include school restructuring, rapid private school expansion, and increased preference for private institutions.
| State | Key Trend |
| Uttar Pradesh | High number of school mergers and closures. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Large-scale consolidation of government schools. |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Sharp decline in government schools. |
| Andhra Pradesh | Enrollment patterns shifted due to restructuring. |
| Bihar | Rapid private school expansion. |
| Maharashtra | Student movement to private schools. |
| Karnataka | Private school growth, government school consolidation. |
| Telangana | Increased preference for private schools. |
Broader Educational Concerns
The number of schools is not the sole concern. While primary education access is near-universal, retaining students through higher secondary levels remains a challenge. Many students drop out before completing Class 12. This hinders the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals for retention and learning outcomes.
School mergers can increase travel distances for students. This particularly affects children in rural and tribal areas. Experts warn longer commutes may reduce attendance, especially for younger children and girls.
NITI Aayog Recommendations
The NITI Aayog recommends focusing on improving learning quality. Key areas include teacher availability, digital systems, and foundational literacy and numeracy. Enhancing secondary school retention is also critical.
The report calls for careful planning before school mergers. This ensures that educational access, especially in remote regions, is not compromised.
