Beyond Infrastructure: Lessons from Kerala
The Complex Path to Universal School Education in India
Introduction
India’s pursuit of universal school education, enshrined in the Right to Education Act of 2009 and reinforced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims for universal access, equity, and quality by 2030. Beyond mere enrollment, the focus is retention, smooth transitions, and improved learning outcomes. The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), managed by the Ministry of Education, tracks progress through data on enrollment, infrastructure, and system efficiency. The UDISE+ 2024-25 report reveals progress, such as an upper primary Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 90.3% nationally, but persistent challenges remain, including a secondary dropout rate of 11.5% and approximately 47.44 million children aged 6-17 out of school in 2023-24.
This article uses UDISE+ 2024-25 data to analyze the role of school infrastructure in achieving universal education, spotlighting Kerala as a case where moderate infrastructure, paired with strong governance and socio-cultural factors, drives near-universal enrollment. In contrast, states with robust infrastructure often lag in outcomes, underscoring that facilities alone are insufficient.
| State/National | GER Primary (%) | GER UPPER PRIMARY(%) | GER Secondary (%) | Dropout UPPER PriMARY (%) | Dropout Secondary (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All India | 90.9 | 90.3 | 78.7 | 3.5 | 11.5 |
| Kerala | 93.2 | 98.9 | 98.7 | 0.04 | 4.8 |
| Bihar | 77.2 | 68.9 | 51.1 | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| Assam | 108.1 | 91.1 | 79.6 | 5,0 | 17.5 |
| Jharkhand | 92.5 | 83.1 | 72.6 | 1.7 | 3.5 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 76.3 | 81.8 | 68.2 | 6.3 | 16.8 |
| Rajasthan | 88.3 | 92.1 | 82.2 | 3.6 | 7.7 |
Infrastructure and Performance Across States
Kerala: Success Beyond Infrastructure
Kerala stands out for achieving near-universal education despite an infrastructure that only moderately exceeds national averages. Kerala excels with a primary GER of 93.2%, upper primary GER of 98.9%, secondary GER of 98.7%, and minimal dropout rates (0.04% upper primary, 4.8% secondary). Its infrastructure includes 99.7% of schools with functional girls’ toilets and 19.5% with digital libraries, above national figures (97.3% and 6.9%, respectively).
| State/National | Functional Girls’ Toilets | Ramps with Handrails | CWSN-Friendly Toilets | Digital Libraries/ICT Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All India | 97.3 | 54.9 | 33.4 | 6.9 |
| Kerala | 99.7 | 68.4 | 35.5 | 19.5 |
| Bihar | 98.7 | 49.3 | 18.5 | 3.4 |
| Assam | 95.4 | 71.0 | 24.1 | 2.0 |
| Jharkhand | 98.6 | 40.8 | 6.4 | 2.1 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 97.7 | 34.5 | 21.4 | 2.2 |
| Rajasthan | 95.0 | 35.4 | 20.8 | 1.9 |
However, ramps with handrails (68.4%) and CWSN-friendly toilets (35.5%) are only slightly above national averages (54.9% and 33.4%). Challenges like limited space and multi-story buildings without elevators persist, particularly in government-aided private schools, which receive minimal funding for maintenance. Kerala’s success hinges on non-infrastructure factors: effective governance, low pupil-teacher ratios (often below 20:1), well-trained teachers, and a socio-cultural emphasis on education and gender equality. Low poverty rates and reduced barriers like child labour and early marriage support high enrollment and retention, aligning with NEP 2020’s holistic vision.
Contrasting States: Infrastructure Without Outcomes
Other states demonstrate that strong infrastructure does not guarantee success. Assam, with 71.0% of schools having ramps with handrails (above the national 54.9%), struggles with a secondary GER of 79.6% and a high secondary dropout rate of 17.5%. Bihar and Jharkhand boast near-universal girls’ toilet coverage (98.7% and 98.6%) but lag in CWSN-friendly toilets (18.5% and 6.4%) and digital facilities (3.4% and 2.1%), with Bihar’s primary GER at 77.2% and secondary at 51.1%. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with decent girls’ toilet coverage (97.7% and 95.0%), falter in ramps (34.5% and 35.4%) and show suboptimal GERs (68.2% and 82.2% at secondary) and high dropout rates (16.8% and 7.7%).
Socio-economic challenges, inconsistent teacher quality, and cultural barriers like early marriage hinder progress despite infrastructure investments.
Argument: Infrastructure as One Piece of the Puzzle. Kerala’s example illustrates that while infrastructure – such as girls’ toilets and digital facilities- enhances inclusivity and quality, it is not the sole driver of universal education. States like Assam and Bihar, which have strong infrastructures in specific areas, struggle with low GER and high dropout rates due to systemic and socio-economic barriers.
Kerala’s success emphasizes governance, community engagement, and cultural prioritization of education, resonating with NEP 2020’s comprehensive approach. Infrastructure is critical, but must be paired with human and systemic reforms to achieve universal education.
Concluding Observations
School infrastructure, including functional toilets, ramps, and digital facilities, is foundational for inclusive and high-quality education. UDISE+ 2024-25 data shows progress, with 97.3% of schools having girls’ toilets and 6.9% equipped with digital libraries, contributing to reduced dropout rates (11.5% at secondary) and improved transitions (75.1% from secondary to higher secondary). However, despite infrastructure gaps, Kerala’s near-universal enrollment highlights the critical role of governance, teacher quality, and socio-cultural factors. Conversely, states like Bihar and Assam show that infrastructure alone cannot address systemic challenges. Achieving NEP 2020’s 2030 goals requires a balanced approach, integrating infrastructure with human-centered reforms and data-driven tools like AI-enhanced UDISE+ systems. Resources like Education for All in India provide valuable insights for evidence-based policies to advance India’s education landscape.
