Kerala sees drop in govt school enrolments
Hyphen Web Desk
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Kerala has experienced a notable decrease in student enrolments in government and aided schools, particularly in Class I, over the past few years. According to data from the General Education Department, the number of students enrolling in Class I in government schools dropped from 99,566 in the 2023-24 academic year to 92,638 in 2024-25, marking a decline of 6,928 students. Aided schools also saw a slight decrease, with enrolments falling from 158,583 to 158,348 during the same period. In contrast, unaided schools witnessed an increase in Class I admissions, rising from 39,918 to 47,862, an uptick of 7,944 students.
This trend is not isolated to the most recent academic year. In the previous year, admissions to Class I in government and aided schools decreased by 10,164, while unaided schools saw an increase of over 5,000 students.
Overall, the total number of students from Class I to X declined from 3,746,647 last year to 3,643,607 this year, a difference of 103,040 students. Specifically, government schools experienced a reduction of 62,975 students, with numbers dropping from 1,223,554 to 1,160,579. Aided institutions saw a decrease of 54,109 students, from 2,181,170 to 2,127,061. Conversely, unaided schools reported an increase of 14,044 students, growing from 341,923 to 355,967.
Education Minister V. Sivankutty has attributed the decline in Class I enrolments primarily to the state's decreasing birth rate. He noted that while Kerala reported 550,000 births in 2009, this number fell to 480,000 in 2019, resulting in 70,000 fewer births over a decade.
Education Minister V. Sivankutty has attributed the decline in Class I enrolments primarily to the state's decreasing birth rate. He noted that while Kerala reported 550,000 births in 2009, this number fell to 480,000 in 2019, resulting in 70,000 fewer births over a decade.
This demographic shift naturally impacts the number of children entering the school system. The Minister also highlighted that while 403,000 students completed their Secondary School Leaving Certificate last March, only 250,000 children enrolled in Class I this year. He emphasized that not all children born in Kerala may study within the state, and conversely, children from other states are studying in Kerala. In the previous academic year, 3,002,000 students were enrolled in Classes I to IX. However, this academic year, there are 3,037,000 students in Classes II to X, suggesting that 35,000 additional students have joined these grades.
Despite the decline in early-grade enrolments, there has been an increase in students joining Classes II to X in government schools. In the current academic year, 34,554 new students took admission to these classes, compared to 42,059 in the previous year. The maximum number of new admissions this year were to Class VIII, with 17,011 students, followed by Class V, which saw 15,529 new students.
The overall student population in Kerala's schools has also seen a decline. In the 2023-24 academic year, the total number of students in government, aided, and unaided schools was 3,833,399. This year, that number has decreased to 3,746,647. Of these, 3,404,724 students are in government and aided schools. The number of students in government schools decreased from 1,273,014 to 1,160,579, while aided schools saw a reduction from 2,226,349 to 2,127,061. Unaided schools, however, experienced an increase in student numbers, growing from 333,032 to 355,967.
The decline in student enrolments has raised concerns among education officials and policymakers. Factors contributing to this trend include the state's declining birth rate and a possible shift of students to private unaided schools.
Despite the decline in early-grade enrolments, there has been an increase in students joining Classes II to X in government schools. In the current academic year, 34,554 new students took admission to these classes, compared to 42,059 in the previous year. The maximum number of new admissions this year were to Class VIII, with 17,011 students, followed by Class V, which saw 15,529 new students.
The overall student population in Kerala's schools has also seen a decline. In the 2023-24 academic year, the total number of students in government, aided, and unaided schools was 3,833,399. This year, that number has decreased to 3,746,647. Of these, 3,404,724 students are in government and aided schools. The number of students in government schools decreased from 1,273,014 to 1,160,579, while aided schools saw a reduction from 2,226,349 to 2,127,061. Unaided schools, however, experienced an increase in student numbers, growing from 333,032 to 355,967.
The decline in student enrolments has raised concerns among education officials and policymakers. Factors contributing to this trend include the state's declining birth rate and a possible shift of students to private unaided schools.
The government has been investing in infrastructure and quality improvements in public schools to attract more students. Initiatives such as the 'Praveshanotsavam' admission festival have been organized to encourage enrolments.
For instance, on June 3, 2024, over 240,000 students were enrolled in Class I as the new academic year began, with the state-level admission festival held at the Government Higher Secondary School in Elamakkara, near Kochi. The event highlighted the transformation of state-run schools with hi-tech classrooms and diverse facilities aimed at fostering scientific temper and preparing children for the future.
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