In News:

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2023-24 reveals a significant decline in school enrolment across India, highlighting critical challenges in the education sector. The total enrolment in grades 1-12 fell by over 1.55 crore students, from 26.36 crore (2018-2022 average) to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This represents a 6% drop, with the biggest declines occurring in government schools.

Key Findings:

• Enrolment Decline:
  • In 2023-24, enrolment decreased from 25.17 crore in 2022-23 to 24.8 crore.
  • The drop was not only in government schools (5.59%) but also in private schools (3.67%).
  • States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra saw the largest decreases.
  • The decline in enrolment is despite an increase in the number of schools, from 14.66 lakh in 2022 to 14.72 lakh in 2023.
• Methodology Change:
  • A significant change in the data collection methodology occurred in 2022-23, including linking enrolment to Aadhaar numbers, aimed at reducing data duplication.
  • While this has improved data accuracy, it has also led to the removal of inflated figures, explaining part of the enrolment drop.
  • Despite these changes, there has been a notable decline of 37 lakh students from 2022-23 to 2023-24, which remains unexplained in the report.
• Gender and Age Trends:
  • Boys’ enrolment declined by 6.04%, and girls’ by 5.76%, reflecting a uniform drop across gender groups.
  • The dropout rates increase as students progress through school, with the highest dropout at the secondary level.
• Infrastructure and Facilities:
  • While most schools have basic facilities like electricity and gender-specific toilets, advanced infrastructure like functional computers (57%) and internet access (53%) is lacking in nearly half of schools.
  • This technological gap exacerbates regional disparities and affects educational quality, particularly in rural areas.
• State-Specific Impact:
  • Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh saw the highest reductions in the number of schools.
  • Many school closures or mergers have led to increased distances for students, causing further dropouts during re-admission processes.

Socio-Economic Barriers:

• Economic hardships, migration, and inadequate facilities contribute to the enrolment decline.
• Low-income families and backward regions struggle to prioritize education, further affecting enrolment and retention.

Government Initiatives:

• Initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and Right to Education Act (RTE) have made strides in primary education but face challenges in secondary education.
• Education spending has hovered around 4-4.6% of GDP, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the education system.

Moving Forward:

• Targeted Interventions: Focus on expanding vocational training, incentivizing school attendance, and improving digital infrastructure in schools.
• Address Regional Disparities: Conduct audits to address school shortages in densely populated areas and consolidate underutilized urban schools.
• Enhancing Teacher Quality: Invest in teacher training and encourage innovative teaching methods.
• Community Engagement: Promote local participation in school management to address specific educational needs.

Conclusion:

The UDISE+ 2023-24 report underscores the need for urgent reforms in India's education system, focusing on increasing enrolment, reducing dropout rates, and ensuring equitable access to quality education. By addressing these challenges with targeted policies, India can move closer to achieving its educational goals.