Government School Closures: A Deep Dive into Recent Trends and Impacts
Overview of Government School Closures
The recent Budget Session of 2026 has sparked significant concern regarding the number of government schools that have been shut down across the nation over the past five years. This alarming trend has raised questions about its impact on the education of children, particularly those from underprivileged and rural backgrounds.
Concerns Raised by MPs
During the session, Congress MP Dr. Mohammad Javed from Bihar and MP Bhajan Lal Jatav from Rajasthan questioned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan about the extent of school closures. They inquired about the total number of schools closed, categorized by state and union territory, and sought clarity on the reasons behind these closures. Additionally, they requested information on the number of children who have dropped out of school due to these closures.
Response from the Education Minister
In his response, Minister Pradhan highlighted that education is governed by the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, which places the responsibility for school management, including closures, primarily on state governments and Union Territory administrations. He emphasized that the central government does not directly intervene in these decisions.
Pradhan also referenced the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act), which mandates that every child should have access to primary education within their locality. He pointed out that states are required to establish standards for neighborhood schools and ensure that every child receives free and compulsory education.
Statistics on School Access
The Education Minister provided data from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), indicating improvements in school access across various educational levels. Here are the key statistics:
| Education Level | 2018-19 Access Rate | 2024-25 Projected Access Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (Classes 1-5) | 97.15% | 97.83% |
| Upper Primary (Classes 6-8) | 96.49% | 96.57% |
| Secondary (Classes 9-10) | 88.24% | 95.35% |
| Higher Secondary (Classes 11-12) | 65.05% | 94.97% |
These figures illustrate a positive trend in school accessibility, alongside a decrease in dropout rates.
Ensuring Education Continuity
Minister Pradhan assured that no school can be closed or merged without following the RTE Act's regulations. In cases where a school is shut down, measures are taken to ensure that students are transferred to nearby institutions to prevent disruption in their education. The central government also supports states through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, aimed at enhancing school infrastructure, ensuring teacher availability, and reducing dropout rates.