Enrolment Numbers Drop by 6% as New Data Collection Methods Uncover Gaps
Introduction
India’s school enrolment figures have taken a sharp decline for the first time in years. According to the recent UDISE+ report for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years, enrolment numbers have fallen by over 1.5 crore students, showing a significant 6% drop compared to previous years. This development has raised questions among educationists, but the Ministry of Education insists that the decline is due to improved data collection methods aimed at enhancing the accuracy of enrolment records.
Why Did Enrolment Drop?
The primary reason for the enrolment drop lies in the change in the way data is being collected by the Education Ministry. Prior to 2022-23, schools typically reported aggregate enrolment figures at the class level, which often led to duplicate entries. Under the new system, schools are now required to provide detailed, student-specific information, including names, addresses, and Aadhaar numbers. This more granular approach has led to the identification and removal of duplicate entries—such as students who may have been enrolled in both government and private schools for accessing multiple benefits. According to ministry officials, this change is a positive step toward ensuring more accurate and reliable data for policy formulation.
The Numbers Speak
For several years, India’s school enrolment remained steady, consistently staying above the 26 crore mark from 2018-19 to 2021-22. However, the new reporting system has revealed a sharp dip in enrolment, with the figures for the 2022-23 academic year dropping to 25.17 crore and further falling to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This decline of over 1.5 crore students represents a 6% decrease from the previous average of 26.36 crore. While some view this decline as alarming, others believe that it offers a more accurate reflection of the actual enrolment situation across the country.
State-wise Decline
Certain states have witnessed the largest drops in student enrolment in 2023-24. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra recorded the most significant declines. Bihar alone saw a loss of 35.65 lakh students, followed by Uttar Pradesh with a reduction of 28.26 lakh, and Maharashtra, where enrolment fell by 18.55 lakh students. Despite the overall national drop, some states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Telangana, have reported increases in enrolment numbers. This variation across states suggests that the decline is not universal, and some regions are managing to buck the national trend.
Government’s Response to Data Change
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the drop in enrolment numbers but has emphasized that the change stems from efforts to refine data collection practices. By removing duplicate records, the government aims to generate more accurate enrolment data. Officials have stated that this will benefit various government initiatives such as the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, PM POSHAN Scheme, and National Scholarship Scheme, which require precise data to identify beneficiaries. In addition, more accurate data could lead to better resource allocation and substantial savings for the government over time.
However, the introduction of Aadhaar verification has not been without challenges. Some states, particularly Maharashtra, have raised concerns about the exclusion of genuine students due to technical mismatches in the Aadhaar database or incomplete records. In such cases, students whose details do not match those in the Aadhaar database may not be included in the final enrolment count.
Impact on Private vs Government Schools
Both private and government school enrolments have experienced a decline in recent years, but government schools have seen a larger drop compared to private institutions. Government school enrolment has fallen by approximately 5.59%, whereas private schools have recorded a smaller decline of about 3.67%. In 2023-24, government schools have an enrolment of 12.74 crore students, while private schools account for around 9 crore students. The larger drop in government school enrolments could indicate several underlying factors, including reduced funding, access issues, or the migration of students to private institutions for better facilities and quality education.
Gender Disparity in Enrolment
The latest data also reveals a slight gender disparity in the enrolment drop. Enrolment among boys saw a larger decline, with 12.87 crore boys enrolled in 2023-24, which is a 6.04% decrease from the previous average. In comparison, the number of girls enrolled fell by 5.75%, with 11.93 crore girls attending school in 2023-24. This suggests that the enrolment decline is more pronounced among boys, though the disparity between genders is not significant.
Growing Trends in Pre-Primary and Higher Secondary Levels
While primary, upper primary, and secondary levels have witnessed a decline in enrolment, the pre-primary (Classes 1-5) and higher secondary (Classes 11-12) levels have seen an increase. This could be due to the growing focus on early childhood education and the rising demand for higher education. The government’s efforts to improve access to education at the pre-primary level, coupled with the rising number of students seeking advanced education at the higher secondary level, seem to be contributing to the positive enrolment trend at these levels.
Conclusion
Although the decline in school enrolment is concerning, it could bring about long-term benefits in terms of more accurate data collection. The improved tracking and identification of students will enable the government to better allocate resources, streamline policy implementation, and ensure that no student is left out of crucial educational schemes. As the education system adjusts to these new data collection practices, the long-term effects could lead to a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable educational environment across India.
In the coming years, it will be essential to monitor the impact of these changes and address any technical challenges related to Aadhaar-based enrolment processes to ensure that no eligible student is excluded from educational opportunities.
