Government School Enrolment Drops in 23 States; MoE Expresses Concern

Government School Enrolment has significantly dropped across 23 States and UTs for the academic year 2024-25, with Uttar Pradesh experiencing the highest loss of 21.83 lakh students. This trend is crucial for UPSC aspirants, particularly for GS Paper 2, which covers issues related to education. Last Updated: 2025-05-21

Key Facts About Government School Enrolment Drop

• Government school enrolment has dropped significantly in 23 States and UTs.
• Highest enrolment loss recorded in Uttar Pradesh: 21.83 lakh students.
• Other states with high losses include Bihar (6.14 lakh), Rajasthan (5.63 lakh), and West Bengal (4.01 lakh).
• Decline attributed to changes in data collection methodology.
• Shift towards private schools post-Covid observed.
• PM-POSHAN Scheme provides one hot cooked meal daily to students up to Class 8.
• Scheme launched for an initial period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Cost sharing between Centre and States on a 60:40 basis.
• Primary education students receive 100 grams of food grains daily.
• Upper primary students receive 150 grams of food grains daily.
• Extra nutrition provisions for aspirational districts.
• Establishment of nutritional gardens in schools.
• Community involvement through Tithi Bhojan.
• Schools to appoint a nutrition expert for monitoring students' health.
• Mandatory social audits in all schools.
• Promotion of local economies through Farmers Producer Organizations and Women Self Help Groups.

Impact on India's Educational Goals

The decline in government school enrolment poses a significant challenge to India's educational and social objectives. Ensuring quality education for all is a cornerstone of India's strategic goals, as outlined in the National Education Policy. The shift towards private schooling could exacerbate educational inequality, impacting India's global educational rankings and economic growth. Addressing this issue is crucial for achieving sustainable development and social equity.

Related Government Schemes/Policies

• PM-POSHAN Scheme: Provides nutritious meals to enhance student health and enrolment.

UPSC Relevance

• GS Paper 2: Issues related to education and social justice.
• Prelims Angle: Questions on enrolment statistics, PM-POSHAN Scheme details, and state-specific data.
• Mains Angle: Analytical themes on educational inequality, policy effectiveness, and social justice.
• Essay Paper: Topics on education reform and social equity.

FAQ Section

• What is the Government School Enrolment Drop?
  It refers to the significant decrease in student enrolment in government schools across 23 States and UTs, with the highest drop in Uttar Pradesh by 21.83 lakh students.
• Why is the Government School Enrolment Drop important?
  This drop is crucial as it impacts educational equity and access, challenging India's goals for universal education and social justice.
• What are the key features of the PM-POSHAN Scheme?
  The scheme provides one hot cooked meal daily to students up to Class 8, with a cost-sharing model of 60:40 between the Centre and States, aiming to improve student health and enrolment.