Why in news?
The Ministry of Education released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2024‑25. The report shows positive trends in teacher strength, pupil‑teacher ratios and enrolment.
Background
UDISE+ is an annual survey that captures data from all schools in India. It informs policy decisions and monitors progress towards the National Education Policy 2020 goals, which emphasise universal access, reduced dropout rates and improved learning outcomes.
Key points
- Teacher strength crossed one crore for the first time, registering a 6.7 per cent increase over 2022‑23. More teachers help reduce class sizes and improve attention to students.
- Pupil‑teacher ratios improved at all levels: foundational stage at 10:1, preparatory stage at 13:1, middle stage at 17:1 and secondary stage at 21:1, aligning with NEP 2020 benchmarks.
- Dropout rates decreased across stages. At the secondary level the rate declined from 10.9 per cent (2022‑23) to 8.2 per cent. Retention rates increased to 47.2 per cent at secondary level.
- Gross enrolment ratio improved: middle level reached 90.3 per cent and secondary level 68.5 per cent. Transition rates from upper primary to secondary improved as well.
Implications
- The improved pupil‑teacher ratio and higher teacher strength can enhance classroom learning and student support.
- Declining dropout rates and better retention suggest progress towards universal secondary education, though progress remains gradual.
- Policymakers must now focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes to complement quantitative gains.