How many schools have closed in North India since 2014?

According to a NITI Aayog report, between 89,000 and 94,000 government schools have closed in India over the last decade—an average of 25 closures per day. The total number of government schools has dropped from 11.07 lakh to 10.13 lakh.

A NITI Aayog report regarding the number of government schools in India has raised significant concerns. The report indicates that approximately 94,000 government schools have shut down nationwide over the past ten years, averaging about 25 closures daily. During this same period, there has been a sharp decline in student enrollment in government schools. Let us examine the data and the underlying reasons for this trend.

Significant Drop in the Number of Schools

Data from the NITI Aayog report shows that the number of government schools has fallen from roughly 11.07 lakh to 10.13 lakh; effectively, about 94,000 government schools have closed their doors over the decade. Conversely, the number of private schools has increased during this period, reflecting a major shift in the educational landscape.

Decline in Enrollment

Alongside the reduction in the number of schools, there has been a substantial drop in student enrollment. The report notes a decrease of approximately 2.26 crore students in government schools. However, school closures do not necessarily imply the collapse of the education system; in many areas, schools with low enrollment have been merged with nearby institutions.

Reasons Behind School Closures

There is no single reason for the decline in the number of government schools. In several states, small schools have been merged with others due to low student numbers. In some regions, a declining birth rate has impacted the number of school-going children. Additionally, factors such as migration from rural areas to cities and a growing preference for private schools have likely contributed to the decline in government school enrollment.

Keep this in mind

The figure of 94,000 schools pertains to the whole of India, not just North India. Therefore, without official data, it would be incorrect to state exactly how many schools have closed in North India alone since 2014. To grasp the full picture, it would be better to examine the specific government data for states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.

The growing trend towards private schools

The period that saw a decline in the number of government schools also witnessed a rise in the number of private schools. This shift points to a major transformation within the education system. However, factors such as low enrollment and demographic changes could be responsible for the closure of government schools, and the underlying reasons may vary across different states.