Why Around 94,000 Govt Schools Closed In A Decade | Education and Career News
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As per data shared by NITI Aayog, the share of government schools in total student enrolment also declined from 71% in 2005 to 49.24% in 2024–25.
Enrolment of students aged 3 to 11 years fell by nearly 25 lakh in 2024–25 compared to the previous year. (Image: Pexels)
A recent NITI Aayog report has highlighted a major decline in the number of government schools in India. Around 94,000 government schools have closed in the last 10 years, which means nearly 25 schools shut down every year. During the same period, enrolment in government schools fell by 2.26 crore students. The share of government schools in total student enrolment also declined from 71% in 2005 to 49.24% in 2024–25.
The decline has raised concerns about children’s access to education, equality, and the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The Act guarantees free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years under Article 21A of the Constitution.
School closures can affect rural and disadvantaged communities the most. Longer travel distances, safety concerns, poverty, migration, and displacement can increase dropout risks, especially among girls and children from vulnerable groups.
Increase In Private Schools
According to UDISE+ data, the number of government schools decreased from 11.07 lakh in 2014–15 to 10.17 lakh in 2023–24. In contrast, the number of private schools increased from 2.88 lakh to 3.31 lakh during the same period.
The decline has been particularly visible among younger children. Enrolment of students aged 3 to 11 years, including children in anganwadis, pre-schools, and Classes 1 to 5, fell by nearly 25 lakh in 2024–25 compared to the previous year.
State-wise Madhya Pradesh reported thousands of children without school records or at risk of dropping out. Uttar Pradesh witnessed a sharp reduction in government schools between 2018–19 and 2019–20. In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 4,300 schools were merged or closed, increasing travel distances for many students.
Increase In Female Enrolment
Despite the fall in overall enrolment, the number of girls enrolled increased by 32,925, while boys’ enrolment declined by around 11.5 lakh. Girls now represent 48.3% of total school students.
At the same time, India’s education system has crossed a milestone of more than 1.01 crore teachers—the highest ever. However, student enrolment has declined for the second consecutive year, raising questions about school access, quality, and the future of public education.
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August 05, 2026, 12:10 IST
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