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UDISE+ Reports decline in School Enrolment
Context:
The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023-24 report reveals a concerning trend in India’s school education system. With a significant decline in student enrolment and school numbers, the report highlights challenges that threaten universal education access, a key focus of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key Findings of the Report on Dropout Rate:
- The UDISE+ 2023-24 report reveals several alarming trends:
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- Enrolment Decline: Total student enrolment (Grade 1-12) dropped by 1.22 crore (6%) in 2023-24, falling from 25.18 crore in 2022-23 to 24.8 crore.
- School Closures: The total number of schools decreased by 87,012 since 2017-18, with government schools comprising 76,883 of these closures.
- Efficiency Metrics: Despite methodology changes, indicators like dropout, retention, and transition rates remain comparable, reflecting systemic challenges.
- Dropout Rate Vis-à-Vis Population and Standard
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- The dropout rate varies significantly across education levels and regions. While primary school enrolment remains relatively stable, higher dropout rates are observed in secondary and higher secondary levels, particularly in states with fewer secondary schools. For instance:
- West Bengal: 79% of schools are primary, but only 3.5% are secondary.
- Chandigarh: 45% of schools are higher secondary, but primary schools constitute just 6.1%.
- These disparities highlight structural bottlenecks that hinder progression and retention.
- The dropout rate varies significantly across education levels and regions. While primary school enrolment remains relatively stable, higher dropout rates are observed in secondary and higher secondary levels, particularly in states with fewer secondary schools. For instance:
- Distribution Across States of Dropout Rate: State-level analysis reveals significant variations:
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- Jammu and Kashmir: 4,509 school closures.
- Assam: 4,229 school closures.
- Uttar Pradesh: 2,967 school closures.
- Other affected states include Madhya Pradesh (2,170 closures) and Maharashtra (1,368 closures). These trends reflect uneven impacts of policy changes and regional disparities in resource allocation.
Reasons for the Drop:
- Change in Methodology (2022-23 Onwards): The shift to individual-level data collection significantly impacted reported enrolment figures:
- Duplicate Removal: Earlier data often included students changing schools multiple times, inflating enrolment figures.
About UDISE+ Data Report:
- Introductions: Introduced in 2018-19, UDISE+ serves as a centralised platform for collecting school-level data across India. The system enables real-time, accurate reporting of key metrics like enrolment, dropout rates, and teacher statistics.
- Major Transformation: A major transformation began in 2022-23 with the introduction of individual student-level data collection. This methodology leverages Aadhaar numbers and unique Educational IDs (EIDs) to eliminate duplication and enhance governance.
- Overestimated Enrolments: Historical figures were inflated by 5-6%, leading to misrepresentation.
Other Contributing Factors
- School Closures: Reduced access due to school mergers or closures often disrupts student continuity, particularly in rural areas.
- Logistical Challenges: Longer travel distances discourage re-admission, especially for economically weaker families.
- Unexplained Variations: The UDISE+ report offers limited clarity on other factors driving the enrollment dip.
Key Implications of the Findings on Dropout Rate:
- Funding Under Scrutiny: The decline in enrolment raises questions about the allocation and utilisation of education funds:
- Samagra Shiksha Scheme: Despite reduced enrolment, spending under the scheme increased from ₹32,515 crore in 2022-23 to ₹37,010 crore in 2024-25.
- Ghost Beneficiaries: Duplicate or inflated enrolment figures likely led to resource misallocation, undermining scheme effectiveness.
- Impacts on Students
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- Dropouts: School closures and logistical challenges exacerbate dropout rates, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
- Retention Gaps: Limited availability of secondary and higher secondary schools further discourages progression.
- Broader Impacts
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- Policy Effectiveness: Accurate data is essential for assessing the impact of NEP 2020 and SDG-linked initiatives.
- Equity Concerns: Regional and socio-economic disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions.
