School enrolment in 3-11 age group down by 25 lakh: UDISE+ , Pg14

Key Highlights:

• School enrolment of students aged 3-11 years in India decreased by approximately 25 lakh in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24, according to UDISE+ data.
• Total school enrolment (Classes 1-12) fell by 11 lakh students, from 24.8 crore in 2023-24 to 24.69 crore in 2024-25, the lowest since 2018-19.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India dropped to 1.91 per woman by 2021, below the replacement level of 2.1.
• Dropout rates have decreased across preparatory, middle, and secondary school levels between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Detailed Insights:

• The decline in enrolment numbers is attributed to demographic shifts including falling birth rates and the presence of children in pre-primary private institutions.
• Most states in India, except Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Meghalaya, have achieved fertility rates below replacement levels, contributing to lower enrolment.
• The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved at the middle and secondary levels, indicating a higher percentage of eligible students are enrolled despite the overall decline in numbers.
• A change in the methodology of data collection makes the 2022-23 and 2023-24 reports not strictly comparable to previous years' data.
• Enrolment in Classes 6-8 increased by approximately 6 lakh between 2023-24 and 2024-25, while Classes 9-12 saw an increase of roughly 8 lakh during the same period.
• Dropout rates in preparatory stages decreased from 3.7% to 2.3%, in middle school from 5.2% to 3.5%, and in secondary school from 10.9% to 8.2% between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UDISE+: A system for collecting data on school education in India.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): The total enrolment in a specific level of education expressed as a percentage of the eligible official school-age population.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The average number of children a woman is expected to bear in her lifetime.