Based on data from UDISE+ (36% private school enrolment in 2023-24), the Ministry has asked the states to take steps to reverse the trend of decreasing enrolment in government schools.
- E.g. Andhra Pradesh (2023-24) has 73% government schools which enrol ~46% of students whereas, the ~25% private schools enrol ~52% of the total students.
Factors leading to increase in private school enrolment over public schools
- Rising demand for Quality Education: Parents prefer Private schools, perceived to provide better quality education, infrastructure, and teaching standards.
- Investment: Public investment in education was 4.6% of the GDP in 2021 which reduced to 4.1% in 2022. (World Bank)
- This is lower than 6% of the GDP as envisaged in the NEP 2020.
- State regulation and Monitoring: Administrative inefficiencies and corruption in public institutions impact learning outcomes.
- E.g. Teacher absenteeism, ineffective implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, Mid Day Meal etc.
- Others: Increasing per capita income, augmented accessibility of private schools etc.
