Private school enrolment in rural India has been steadily rising since 2006. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2024, which surveyed 6.5 lakh children across 18,000 villages in 605 districts, most parents prefer private schools over government institutions.
Back in 2006, only 18.7% of children aged 6-14 attended private schools. By 2014, this figure had increased to 30.8%. The preference for private education continues to grow as parents seek better facilities and quality education.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this trend. Financial constraints forced many families to shift their children to government schools, increasing enrolment from 65.6% in 2018 to 72.9% in 2022. As the economy stabilised, government school enrolment declined to 66.8% in 2024, while private schools regained students in most states.
Despite these shifts, overall school enrolment remains high at 98.1%, slightly lower than 98.4% in 2022, showing that rural children continue to attend school in large numbers.
Girls’ Education: Progress and Challenges
Girls’ education in rural India has seen progress, but dropout rates remain a concern, particularly for older girls aged 15-16.
- In 2018, 13.5% of girls in this age group were out of school.
- By 2022, the figure dropped to 7.9%.
- However, in 2024, it slightly increased to 8.1%.
While states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh report near-universal enrolment with dropout rates of around 1%, other states continue to struggle.
States with the Highest Girls’ Dropout Rates (2024)
- Madhya Pradesh – 16.1%
- Uttar Pradesh – 15%
- Rajasthan – 12.7%
- Mizoram – 12.2%
- Gujarat – 10.5%
- Chhattisgarh – 10%
Dropouts are often linked to financial difficulties, household responsibilities, early marriage, or lack of nearby higher education facilities.
Government Schools Show Improvement in Learning Outcomes
Reading and arithmetic skills in government schools have improved across all elementary grades (Std I-VIII) since 2022. In 2024, reading proficiency among Std III students in government schools reached its highest level since the inception of the ASER survey. However, private schools still maintain an advantage, with their 2018 reading levels being higher than government schools in 2024.
Arithmetic Improvement (Std III) – 2024 vs. 2022
- Government school students improved by 4.4% in solving basic subtraction problems.
- Private school students also improved but at a slower rate.
Digital Divide: A Growing Concern
While 90% of rural students aged 14-16 have access to a smartphone at home, personal ownership remains low:
- Only 37.8% of 16-year-olds own a smartphone.
- Only 27% of 14-year-olds have their own device.
States with High Digital Literacy
- Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu – Over 90% of students can perform basic digital tasks.
States Lagging in Digital Access
- Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh – Limited smartphone usage and poor digital literacy levels.
A survey of smartphone usage in the past week revealed:
- 57% used smartphones for education.
- 76% used smartphones for social media, with boys engaging more than girls.
- Kerala leads in digital engagement, with over 80% using smartphones for learning and 90% for social media.
Gaps in School Infrastructure
Infrastructure in rural schools has improved, but challenges remain:
- Girls’ toilet facilities, drinking water availability, and library book usage have increased since 2018.
- Electricity availability is unreliable, despite many schools having connections.
- 72.6% of schools lack computers for students.
- Of schools that have computers, only 16.2% are in working condition and actively used.
- Internet access remains scarce, restricting digital learning opportunities.
Conclusion
Private schools continue to attract rural parents due to better facilities and education quality. However, government schools have improved in reading and arithmetic proficiency. Girls’ education is progressing, but dropout rates remain high in some states. The digital divide is a major concern, with rural students having limited personal smartphone ownership and digital literacy. While infrastructure improvements are ongoing, the lack of reliable electricity, computers, and internet access in rural schools hampers the transition to digital education.
