School Education in India: Where Do We Stand? UDISEPlus 2023-24
Analysis By Arun C Mehta, Former Professor of EMIS, NIEPA, New Delhi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report “School Education in India: Where Do We Stand?” by Prof. Arun C. Mehta critically examines the status of school education in India based on UDISEPlus 2023-24 data. It evaluates key education indicators in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to achieve universal school education by 2030. The study assesses enrolment trends, infrastructure, transition and retention rates, and dropout patterns, highlighting progress and areas requiring policy intervention.
Enrolment Trends
- A significant decline in total enrolment from 255.74 million in 2021-22 to 234.96 million in 2023-24 (-8.12 percent), particularly at the primary level (-11.49 percent).
- The sharp drop may indicate previous over-reporting or genuine student attrition.
- Government schools experienced the most significant enrolment declines (-11.56 percent) compared to private unaided institutions (-1.90 percent).
School Numbers
- A net decline of 17,224 schools (-1.16 percent) between 2021-22 and 2023-24.
- Government schools saw a significant reduction (-76,883 schools, -7.02 percent since 2017-18).
- There is a lack of clarity on whether the decline is due to school closures or mergers.
Equity in Education
- Enrolment of marginalized groups: OBC (45.4 percent), SC (96.8 percent GER at primary, dropping to 57.9 percent at higher secondary), and ST (98.3 percent GER at primary, falling to 48.7 percent at higher secondary).
- Muslim enrolment shows a worrying downward trend from 17.4 percent at primary to 11.9 percent at higher secondary levels.
Enrolment Ratios
- The gross enrollment ratio (GER) declines significantly at secondary (77.4 percent) and higher secondary (56.2 percent) levels.
- The net enrollment ratio (NER) for primary (79 percent) remains relatively high but falls sharply at higher secondary (33.8 percent), indicating transition and retention challenges.
Dropout and Retention Rates
- Secondary-level dropout rate increased from 12.61 percent (2021-22) to 14.1 percent (2023-24), contradicting NEP 2020 goals.
- Higher secondary retention is just 45.6 percent, highlighting systemic inefficiencies.
- States like Bihar, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh exhibit alarmingly high dropout rates.
Transition Rates
- Primary to upper primary: 88.8 percent; upper primary to secondary: 83.3 percent; secondary to higher secondary: 71.5 percent.
- States such as Meghalaya (62.3 percent) and Arunachal Pradesh (65.7 percent) face severe challenges at secondary transitions.
Policy Implications & Recommendations
- Data Accuracy & Transparency: Strengthen UDISEPlus methodologies to ensure consistent and reliable data collection.
- Retention & Transition Improvements: Expand scholarships, reduce socio-economic barriers, and strengthen vocational pathways to improve retention beyond secondary levels.
- Strengthening Government Schools: Address declining enrolment and closures through targeted interventions and improved infrastructure.
- Equity & Inclusion: Enhance access and support for marginalized communities through targeted educational programs.
- Monitoring & Accountability: Improve student transitions, dropout rates, and retention tracking through data-driven interventions.
While progress has been made, achieving NEP 2020’s vision of universal school education by 2030 remains challenging. Addressing systemic inefficiencies, ensuring equitable access, and improving retention rates are critical to meeting national and global education goals.
School Education in India, Analysis based on UDISEPlus 2023-24 by Prof. Arun C Mehta
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS
The analysis based on the UDISEPlus 2023-24 data provides critical insights into the state of school education in India, reflecting progress and persisting challenges under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Below are the key concluding observations:
Data Limitations & Fluctuations in Enrolment
The UDISEPlus data from 2020-21 to 2023-24 provides invaluable insights into school education trends; however, certain limitations and inconsistencies warrant careful consideration. The introduction of a new data collection methodology, SDMIS, in 2022-23 resulted in a significant decline in reported enrolments, with total enrolment dropping from 255.74 million in 2021-22 to 234.96 million in 2023-24 – a reduction of 8.12 percent. This fluctuation raises questions about potential over-reporting in earlier datasets and the comparability of data across years. Additionally, gaps in data collection, such as incomplete information on teacher qualifications and school-level resources, hinder a comprehensive understanding of systemic issues. The absence of granular, verified data on out-of-school children further limits the accuracy of estimates, making it challenging to address localized disparities effectively. These issues highlight the need for standardized methodologies and robust validation mechanisms to enhance the reliability and utility of educational statistics.
UDISE+ 2023–24: Insights and Perspectives by Prof. Arun C. Mehta
- Progress Towards Universal Education Goals
- Enrolment Trends: While India has made commendable progress in expanding primary and upper primary enrolment, significant challenges remain at the secondary and higher secondary levels. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) drops sharply from 93 percent at the primary level to 56.2 percent at the higher secondary level; thus indicating a pressing need for targeted interventions.
- Retention and Transition: Retention rates are robust at the primary level (85.4 percent) but decline drastically to 45.6 percent at the higher secondary level. Transition rates also show a consistent decline, particularly from secondary to higher secondary education, standing at 71.5 percent.
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Disparities in Educational Access
- Socio-Economic and Regional Inequalities: Enrollment disparities persist, with states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu nearing universal access, while Bihar, Assam, and Jharkhand exhibit alarmingly low enrolment ratios and high dropout rates.
- Marginalized Groups: Enrolment rates for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Muslim minorities reflect systemic inequities, particularly at higher levels of education. For example, GER for ST students drops from 98.3 percent at the primary level to 48.7 percent at the higher secondary level.
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Teacher Deployment and Infrastructure
- Despite a comfortable pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) at the primary and upper primary levels, inefficiencies in teacher deployment persist, with over 110,000 single-teacher schools and 31,981 schools reporting zero enrolments.
- Infrastructure gaps in underperforming regions hinder access and quality, emphasizing the need for region-specific resource allocation.
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Dropout Challenges
- Dropout rates remain critical at the secondary level (14.1 percent) and higher secondary levels, undermining NEP 2020’s goal of reducing attrition across all stages of education. Economic pressures, cultural norms, and inadequate facilities contribute to these trends.
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Out-of-School Children
- The issue demands urgent attention, with 47.44 million children aged 6-17 remaining out of school in 2023-24. The highest dropout rates are observed in the 14-17 age group, corresponding to secondary and higher secondary levels.
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Policy and Intervention Recommendations
- Strengthening Targeted Programs: Enhance financial support mechanisms, such as scholarships, to reduce economic barriers, especially for marginalized communities.
- Teacher Training: Address the 12 percent of unqualified teachers and reduce dependency on contractual staff to ensure quality teaching.
- Data-Driven Planning: Leverage disaggregated UDISEPlus data for localized strategies under the Samagra Shiksha framework.
- Community Engagement: Foster awareness and involvement of local communities to address cultural barriers and promote retention.
- Special Focus on Underperforming States: States like Bihar, Assam, and Jharkhand require tailored interventions to improve transition and retention rates, reduce dropout rates, and expand access.
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Alignment with NEP 2020 Goals
- Achieving universal school education by 2030, as envisioned in NEP 2020, necessitates bridging current disparities, addressing systemic inefficiencies, and ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education. Strategic investments, robust monitoring, and a sustained commitment to policy goals are imperative for success.
The data highlights the pressing necessity for coordinated action across all levels of governance, supported by active community engagement and innovative strategies, to achieve the goal of inclusive & equitable education for all children in India by 2030. Based on current levels of children’s participation in various educational programs during the 2023-24 period, it is evident that India is unlikely to meet the objective of universal school education by 2030 without substantial, focused efforts. Identifying key issues and target groups that require particular attention is critical. These areas of concern should be addressed through issue-specific initiatives, which can facilitate the development of annual plans under the ongoing Samagra Shiksha initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on School Education in India (UDISEPlus 2023-24)
1. What is UDISEPlus, and why is it important?
Answer: UDISEPlus (Unified District Information System for Education) is India’s official school education data collection system, tracking key indicators like enrollment, infrastructure, dropout rates, and teacher availability. It provides critical insights for policy planning and monitoring progress toward the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals. UDISE was initiated by NIEPA and nurtured by it during 1994 to 2018 with the support from Ministry of Education , UNICEF and State Governments.
2. What are the key findings of UDISEPlus 2023-24?
Answer:
- Enrollment Decline: Total school enrollment fell from 255.74 million (2021-22) to 234.96 million (2023-24) (-8.12%).
- Dropout Increase: Secondary-level dropout rose to 14.1%, impacting transition to higher education.
- Retention Concerns: Only 45.6% of students complete schooling from Class 1 to 12.
- Single-Teacher Schools: A significant number of rural schools still operate with just one teacher.
3. What is the Net Enrollment Ratio (NER) in India?
Answer:
The NER measures the percentage of children of official school age enrolled at the appropriate grade level. The figures for 2023-24 show:
- Primary Level (Class 1-5): 79%
- Upper Primary (Class 6-8): 66%
- Secondary (Class 9-10): 48.3%
- Higher Secondary (Class 11-12): 33.8%
This indicates a sharp decline in enrollment as students progress to higher grades.
4. How many children are out of school in India?
Answer:
A significant number of children remain out of school, especially in the 16-17 age group, where one in four children (25%) is not enrolled. The highest numbers are found in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand due to socio-economic barriers.
5. What are the major reasons for school dropouts in India?
Answer:
- Economic hardships (students forced to work).
- Lack of secondary schools nearby, especially in rural areas.
- Early marriages and gender disparity, particularly for girls.
- Poor infrastructure and inadequate learning resources.
6. How does the transition rate affect student retention?
Answer:
The transition rate measures how many students move from one educational level to the next. The 2023-24 data shows:
- Primary to Upper Primary: 88.8%
- Upper Primary to Secondary: 83.3%
- Secondary to Higher Secondary: 71.5%
The biggest drop occurs at the higher secondary level, highlighting retention challenges.
7. What are single-teacher schools, and why are they a concern?
Answer:
Single-teacher schools are those with only one teacher managing all classes, common in rural areas. These schools face:
- Limited learning opportunities for students.
- Teacher burnout and inefficiency.
- Poor student outcomes, particularly in multi-grade classrooms.
8. How does the UDISEPlus data help in improving school education?
Answer:
UDISEPlus data helps policymakers:
- Identify regions with high dropout and low enrollment rates.
- Plan targeted interventions for disadvantaged groups (SC, ST, minorities).
- Improve school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and digital learning.
9. What are the recommendations to address unfinished tasks in education?
Answer:
- Reduce Dropout Rates: Offer scholarships and vocational training.
- Improve Retention: Strengthen mid-day meals and free textbooks programs.
- Expand Secondary Education: Increase school availability in rural areas.
- Enhance Teacher Training: Reduce single-teacher schools and upgrade facilities.
10. Where can I access the complete UDISEPlus 2023-24 report?
Answer:
The full report can be accessed on the official UDISEPlus Website or analysis on different aspects of school education on Education for All in India.
