School Enrolment in 3-11 Age Group Drops by 25 Lakh: UDISE+ Report

The UDISE+ Report published by the Education Ministry has indicated a large drop in the number of school enrolment of the 3-11 age group in India in the 2024-25 academic year. The overall enrolment in this category (including children in anganwadi, pre-schools and Classes 1-5) declined by almost 25 lakh students. The number of enrolment reduced by 12.09 crore in 2023-24 to 11.84 crore in 2024-25. Such a decrease is attributable to the changing demography especially the reduced birth rates in the nation. It reflects the change in the number of the primary school-going population in India.

Key Points 

Decline in Enrolment for 3-11 Age Group:

• Enrolment has declined by 24.93 lakh students, 12.09 crore in 23-24 to 11.84 crore in 24-25.
• The total school enrolment (Classes 1-12) declined to 24.69 crore in 2024-25, the lowest in years since 2018-19, and fell by 11 lakh, compared to 24.8 crore in 2023-24.

Impacts of Low birth rates:

• Decline in birth rates and fertility rates below replacement levels in most states, as per the National Family Health Survey 2021 (TFR of 1.91).
• Increased enrolment rates are still in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Meghalaya where fertility rates are still greater than that of the replaced ones.

Changes in Enrolment Trends:

• Classes 6-8 enrolment increased by 6 lakh compared to 6.31 crore in 2023-24 to 6.36 crore in 2024-25.
• Enrolment class 9-12 climbed by 8 lakh between 6.39 crore and 6.48 crore.

Improvement in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER):

• The GER of the middle school (Classes 6-8) grew to 90.3% (89.5%).
• GER (Classes 9-12) in secondary school improved to 68.5% (66.5%).

Dropout Rates Declining:

• Preparatory stages (Class 1-5): The dropout rate lessened to 2.3%.
• Middle school (Classes 6-8): The dropout rates were reduced to 3.5 as opposed to 5.2.
• Secondary school (Classes 9-12): In high school (Classes 9-12) the dropout rate has reduced to 8.2%.

Conclusion

Although enrolment in the 3-11 age bracket has been dwindling through demographic changes and low birth rates, encouraging trends of tertiary enrolment, Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) and decreasing rates of dropouts in India point to an encouraging trend of student retention and education results in India.