A NITI Aayog report indicates that approximately 94,000 government schools have closed over the past decade, contributing to a significant decline in government school enrolment. While states cite rationalisation as the primary reason for these closures, data shows that Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are leading this trend. This administrative shift has resulted in millions of children being unmapped or at risk of dropping out, particularly in rural areas where families have limited alternatives.
In Madhya Pradesh, recent audits revealed that over 11 lakh children are currently in the 'Drop Box' category, meaning they are at risk of leaving the education system entirely. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir has seen over 4,300 schools closed or merged, forcing many students to travel long distances, which critics argue violates the neighbourhood school mandates established by the Right to Education Act. These closures disproportionately affect children from marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Although the Union government maintains that education management is a state responsibility, experts point out that the Right to Education Act is a Central mandate. Despite the Act guaranteeing free and compulsory education, the lack of enforceable quality standards and the failure to convene School Management Committees have left many parents without a voice. As government school numbers continue to fall, private school enrolment has grown, further widening the gap in access to education for the country's poorest populations.
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