Right to Education and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The 86th Amendment of the Indian Constitution (2002) introduced Article 21A, granting the Right to Free and Compulsory Education for children aged six to 14 years. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 expands this coverage to ages three to 18, aiming for universal education from pre-primary to higher secondary (Class 12) by 2030.
Enrolment Trends and Educational Expenditure
Despite the guarantee of free education, a substantial number of students attend private schools, incurring significant fees. The NSS 80th Round (April-June 2025) reveals:
- 55.9% of students are enrolled in government schools.
- 11.3% in private aided schools.
- 31.9% in private unaided schools.
Private school enrolment is higher in urban areas (51.4%) compared to rural areas (24.3%).
Sector-wise Enrolment
- Rural: Higher enrolment in government schools. Private enrolment is 28.1% in pre-primary, 25.9% in primary, 21% in middle and secondary, and 25.8% in higher secondary.
- Urban: Higher private enrolment with 62.9% in pre-primary, reducing to 42.3% in higher secondary.
Change in Enrolment Patterns
From the NSS 75th Round (2017-18) to the 80th Round, there is an increase in private school enrolment, contributing to rising education costs. In rural and urban areas, significant increases were noted across various educational levels.
Financial Aspects of Education
Course Fees
- Rural: 25.3% of government and 98.2% of private school students pay fees.
- Urban: 34.7% of government and 98% of private school students pay fees.
Rural private school fees range from ₹17,988 (pre-primary) to ₹33,567 (higher secondary), while urban fees range from ₹26,188 to ₹49,075. Such costs are substantially burdensome when compared to the Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) of the poorest households.
Private Coaching
- 25.5% of rural and 30.7% of urban students take private coaching.
- Coaching expenditure increases with educational level, averaging ₹13,026 in urban and ₹7,066 in rural areas.
Demand for private tuition is higher among wealthier families and correlates with better parental education and urban residence, further enhancing learning outcomes.
Challenges and Recommendations
The findings underline the financial strain on families despite the promise of free education. Increasing private enrolment and tuition exacerbate educational inequality, particularly for lower-income families. To address these issues, it's crucial to:
- Strengthen public school quality to reduce reliance on private education.
- Implement reforms to ensure education is accessible and equitable.
Research indicates that improving public school quality correlates with reduced reliance on private tuition, highlighting the need for urgent educational reforms to uphold the right to education.