The great Indian school paradox: Government enrolment dominates even as thousands of classrooms stand empty
India’s government schools still educate most children, but the system is increasingly mis-sized. In 2024–25, over 65,000 government schools reported zero or near-zero enrolment, even as teacher postings stayed intact. In several states, private schools now enrol more students than government schools. The data points to misalignment, not collapse—enrolment shifts faster than consolidation and redeployment.
India’s government schools still educate most children, but the system is increasingly mis-sized. In 2024–25, over 65,000 government schools reported zero or near-zero enrolment, even as teacher postings stayed intact. In several states, private schools now enrol more students than government schools. The data points to misalignment, not collapse—enrolment shifts faster than consolidation and redeployment.
