Dip in number of primary schools, rise in girl students

According to the report, while the number of primary schools – co-education and those only for girls – as well as students saw a dip in the last five years, the number of girls admitted to these schools have increased.

In 2018-19, while 40.61 lakh girls among the 86.75 lakh students — both boys and girls — enrolled were admitted in 45,315 primary schools, in 2022-23, the figure dropped to 40.15 lakh girls taking admission in 44,285 schools among 85.77 lakh students who enrolled.

The report added that in urban areas, the number of primary schools run by local bodies declined from 31,502 to 30,685 in last five years. The number of grant-in-aid and private schools fell from 11,586 (2018-19) to 11,283 (2022-23). However, the number of government primary schools increased from 2,227 in 2018-19 to 2,317 in 2022-23.

The report stated that there was a higher dropout rate among girls from classes VIII to classes IX and X when compared to those from classes X to classes XI and XII. The number of girls in classes IX and X saw a dip from 18.06 lakh to 16.5 lakh in last five years. When compared with higher secondary classes (class XI and XII), the figure increased from 4.53 lakh to 5.47 lakh.

Also, in the last five years, the number of technical degree institutes in the state has increased from 241 to 262. Despite this, students who took admission in these institutes declined from 20,6358 to 11,2547. Also, the number of female students decreased from 37,905 to 24,531 during this period.

Similarly, the number of diploma colleges increased from 155 to 176 during this period.

Surprisingly, the students who took admission in these colleges saw a decline of more than half — from 2,00,757 to 95,020 — with the number of female students dropping from 26,026 to 15,978.