Panel Flags Sharp Fall in School Enrolment At Higher Secondary
A parliamentary committee has warned of a sharp decline in student enrolment as children progress through India’s school system, saying the number enrolled at the higher secondary level is about 73% lower than at the primary level. The panel has urged governments to expand secondary and higher secondary schooling to improve retention.
Student Enrolment Falls Sharply by Class 12
According to UDISE+ 2024-25 data examined by the Committee on Estimates, around 6.18 crore students were enrolled in primary classes, compared with 4.09 crore in upper primary, 2.37 crore in secondary and 1.64 crore in higher secondary.
The committee described the decline as indicating that nearly 73% of students drop out before completing higher secondary education.
However, the 73% figure is derived by comparing enrolment across different education levels rather than tracking a single student cohort over time, meaning it should not be read as a conventional annual dropout rate.
Panel Flags Shortage of Higher Secondary Schools
The committee also highlighted a steep reduction in the number of schools available as education levels rise.
Among government and government-aided institutions, there are more than nine lakh primary schools but only about 90,866 higher secondary schools.
The panel recommended upgrading existing schools and increasing access to Classes 11 and 12, particularly in areas where students must travel significant distances.
Divyang-Friendly School Infrastructure Lags
Accessibility for children with special needs was another major concern. Of roughly 14.71 lakh schools nationwide, only about 5.23 lakh have accessible toilets, while around 8.08 lakh have ramps with handrails.
The committee called for faster infrastructure upgrades, better utilisation of allocated funds and accelerated recruitment of special educators.
