Hold on to your hats, folks, because the latest UDISE+ report has just dropped, and it’s got some interesting figures. While India is celebrating a record high in teacher strength, there’s a curious dip in school enrolment. It seems like a paradox, doesn’t it? More teachers, fewer students. Let’s dive into what’s actually happening.
According to the Ministry of Education’s Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report, released recently, India’s school enrolment has seen a decline of over 11 lakh students. To put that in perspective, we’ve gone from 24.80 crore in 2023-24 to 24.69 crore in 2024-25. This isn’t a new phenomenon either, as enrolment had already slipped by around 37 lakh students in the previous academic year, from 25.17 crore to 24.80 crore. This consistent downward trend in enrolment raises a few eyebrows.
So, what’s causing this shift? When quizzed about the dip, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, offered a clear explanation. He attributes the falling numbers primarily to India’s demographic shift, especially the declining fertility rate. It’s a fundamental change in the population, impacting the number of children entering the school system. This demographic shift is a key factor here.
But here’s where it gets really interesting. Despite the drop in enrolment, the report also highlights some remarkable gains across other areas of school education. We’re talking about the highest-ever teacher strength, significantly improved pupil teacher ratios, a noticeable reduction in dropout rates, better retention, and a wider embrace of digital access in schools. It’s a mixed bag of results, showcasing both challenges and triumphs.
For the first time ever, the number of teachers in India has crossed the significant one crore mark. We’re now at 1.01 crore teachers in 2024-25, a substantial jump from 98.07 lakh the year before. This surge in teacher numbers has had a direct positive impact on pupil teacher ratios. We’re seeing impressive ratios: 10 at the foundational level, 13 at the preparatory level, 17 at the middle level, and 21 at the secondary level. These numbers are far better than the National Education Policy’s recommended 1:30 benchmark, a significant achievement indeed.
Dropout rates are also in decline! They’ve fallen to 2.3% at the preparatory stage, 3.5% at the middle, and 8.2% at the secondary levels. Retention rates have improved across the board, which is fantastic news. However, secondary retention still remains a concern at just 47.2%, even with a slight increase from last year. There’s still work to be done in keeping students engaged through their secondary education.
On the infrastructure front and digital facilities, there’s been notable progress. A significant 64.7% of schools now have computers, and internet connectivity boasts 63.5%. These figures are up sharply from 57.2% and 53.9% in 2023-24, indicating a strong move towards digital learning. Basic facilities have also seen great improvement: electricity is now in 93.6% of schools, girls’ toilets in 97.3%, and access to safe drinking water in an impressive 99.3%. The number of single-teacher schools has reduced by 6%, and zero-enrolment schools have decreased by nearly 38%. These improvements show a commitment to enhancing the learning environment for every student, even as the overall enrolment figures adjust due to the demographic shift. The ongoing efforts promise a brighter future for those who are in the system.