NITI report says India has solved school access challenge, retention remains a hurdle
A recent report by NITI Aayog highlights the challenges faced by India's education system, particularly in retaining students beyond the primary level. While the country has made commendable progress in ensuring access to education, with a gross enrolment ratio of 90.9% at the primary stage, the figures drop significantly as students advance to secondary and higher secondary education. The report indicates a concerning trend, with enrolment rates falling to 78.7% at the secondary level and further to 58.4% at the higher secondary level. The dropout rates reflect this decline, escalating from just 0.3% in primary education to 11.5% in secondary education. This disparity underscores the need for reforms that focus not only on increasing enrolment but also on enhancing continuity and learning quality. The transition rates from primary to upper primary are relatively high at 92.2%, but they decrease sharply to 75.1% when moving from secondary to higher secondary education. To address these issues, the report suggests that future reforms should tackle the fragmented nature of school structures and the inequities present in the system. While improvements in infrastructure have been noted, such as increased access to electricity and technology in schools, a more comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure that students remain engaged and supported throughout their educational journey.
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