Source: PIB
Context:
The Ministry of Education has released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024-25 report, presenting the latest status of school education in India. While basic infrastructure like toilets and drinking water has achieved near-universal coverage, serious concerns remain around digital access, teacher shortages, and uneven enrolment trends.
What is UDISE+?
- Annual school data system (Grades I–XII) launched in 2018 to replace UDISE.
- Collects data from all government, aided, and private schools.
- Tracks infrastructure, enrolment, pupil-teacher ratio (PTR), training, digital readiness, health facilities, and the overall learning environment.
Key Findings of UDISE+ 2024-25
Digital Divide
- Computers available: 65% of schools, but only 58% functional.
- Internet access: 63% schools overall.
- Govt. schools: 58.6%
- Private schools: 77.1%
- Digital inequality persists, especially in rural and government schools.
Infrastructure
- Toilets: 98.6% schools
- Hand-wash facilities: 95.9%
- Drinking water: 99%
- However, 25,000+ schools still lack electricity, limiting digital learning.
Enrolment Issues
- 5.1% schools operate with less than 10 students.
- Zero-enrolment schools highest in:
- Ladakh (32.2%)
- Arunachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand (22% each)
- Indicates demographic decline, migration, and resource wastage.
Teacher Availability
- PTR (Pupil-Teacher Ratio):
- Primary: 20:1 (acceptable).
- Higher classes: Jharkhand (47:1), Maharashtra & Odisha (37:1).
- Norms: RTE Act = 30:1, NEP 2020 = 20–25:1.
- Shortage in secondary education is a critical bottleneck.
Teacher Training
- National average: ~91% trained teachers.
- Lowest: Meghalaya (72% at primary, 80% at upper-primary).
Regional Variations
- South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu): near-universal coverage of toilets and internet access.
- East & North-East: lag behind — West Bengal (18.6% internet), Meghalaya (26.4%).
Health Support
- Only 75.5% schools conduct annual medical check-ups.
- Worst performers: Bihar (32.7%), Nagaland (44.9%).
