Parliament Panel Raises Alarm Over Student Enrolment
A parliamentary panel has raised concerns over a sharp decline in student enrolment as education levels increase, noting that nearly 73% of students do not reach higher secondary education. The findings are based on data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2024-25 and were included in the Committee on Estimates’ report on affordable and quality education.
The committee has urged the Ministry of Education and state governments to expand access to secondary and higher secondary schooling and upgrade more existing schools to offer education up to Class 12.
Enrolment Falls Sharply After Primary School
According to the data cited by the parliamentary panel, around 6.18 crore students are enrolled at the primary level. This figure falls to about 4.09 crore in Classes 6 to 8, around 2.37 crore at the secondary level and approximately 1.64 crore at the higher secondary level.
The committee described this decline as a major concern, particularly because the reduction in enrolment occurs alongside a significant shortage of schools at higher levels of education.
Shortage of Higher Secondary Schools Highlighted
The report also pointed to a substantial difference in the number of schools available at various stages of education. Of the 10,92,671 government and government-aided schools covered by the data, more than 9.11 lakh are at the primary level, while only around 90,866 schools offer higher secondary education.
The committee said that the limited availability of secondary and higher secondary schools could be one of the factors contributing to students leaving the education system as they progress through the grades.
Panel Calls for School Upgrades
To address the problem, the parliamentary committee has recommended that existing primary and secondary schools be upgraded into full-fledged higher secondary institutions wherever possible.
The panel has also asked the Centre to encourage state and Union Territory governments to establish more secondary and senior secondary schools. Since education falls under the Concurrent List, the committee emphasised the role of state governments and UT administrations in expanding school infrastructure.
Access to Education Remains a Major Concern
The findings highlight that increasing enrolment at the primary level alone may not be sufficient to ensure students complete school education. Physical access to schools offering Classes 9 to 12, along with adequate infrastructure and teaching resources, remains important for keeping students in the education system.
The panel’s recommendations therefore focus on expanding educational facilities beyond the primary level and improving accessibility for students across different communities.
Inclusive Education Also Under Review
The parliamentary report has also highlighted gaps in infrastructure for students with disabilities. A separate recommendation calls for improving Divyang-friendly facilities in schools and assessing the requirement for special educators across the country.
These recommendations underline the need for India’s school education system to address both enrolment and accessibility as part of broader education reforms.
What the Report Means for Indian Education
The parliamentary panel’s findings put the spotlight on a critical transition point in India’s education system: the movement from primary schooling to secondary and higher secondary education. The large difference in enrolment and school availability at these stages has prompted calls for greater investment in infrastructure and improved access.
The recommendations now place greater responsibility on education authorities to expand higher-level schooling and ensure that students have accessible opportunities to complete their school education.