India, Dec 22 : Over 65,000 government schools across India reported fewer than 10 students in the 2024-25 academic year, while 5,149 institutions recorded zero enrolment, according to official Ministry of Education data. The figures highlight a worrying trend in student attendance across the country’s government school network.
The Ministry noted that more than 70% of zero-enrolment schools are concentrated in Telangana and West Bengal, reflecting sharp regional disparities.
Significant Rise in Low-Enrolment Schools
Data shared in a written reply to MPs Karti P. Chidambaram and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in the Lok Sabha shows a 24% increase in government schools with fewer than 10 or zero students over the last two academic years. The number rose from 52,309 in 2022-23 to 65,054 in 2024-25, now accounting for 6.42% of all government schools nationwide. Experts say the figures reveal a growing mismatch between school infrastructure and actual student presence.
Concerns Over Teacher Deployment
The Ministry’s report also revealed that over 1.44 lakh teachers were posted in schools with fewer than 10 or no students, raising concerns about staff deployment and efficient resource utilisation.
Centre Clarifies State’s Role
Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, meaning State governments and Union Territory administrations oversee teacher recruitment and school administration. The Centre supports them through the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which aims to maintain pupil-teacher ratios and enhance school infrastructure.