Lok Sabha Question No. 66 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Declining Enrolment in Andhra Pradesh Government Schools
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 66

## ANSWERED ON 01/12/2025

## Declining Enrolment in Andhra Pradesh Government Schools

66. Shri Y S Avinash Reddy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a decline in enrolment of students in the age group of 6-14 years in Andhra Pradesh Government School from 70.8 percent in 2022 to 61.8 percent in 2024, if so, the details of the reasons thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has carried out evaluations of schemes like infrastructure upgrades and Mid-Day Meals in these schools, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of policy measures proposed to be taken by the Union Government to reverse the above said decline with timelines?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a): As  per  UDISE+  (Unified  District  Information  System  for  Education  Plus), enrolment of students in Class 1 - 8 (Elementary level), in Government schools of Andhra Pradesh, during 2022-23 and 2024-25 is 31,71,466 and 26,15,935 respectively.
- (b)  &  (c):  Government  of  India  is  implementing  Samagra  Shiksha,  an  overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-primary to Class-XII. Samagra  Shiksha  aims  to  ensure  inclusive  and  equitable  quality  education  at  all levels of school education, across the country. Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs  for  improving  school  infrastructure,  universal  access,  bringing  gender equity, promoting inclusive education, quality education, digital initiatives, strengthening  teacher  education  institutions,  vocational  education,  entitlements under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, etc. Some of the major interventions under Samagra Shiksha are as follows: -
- i. Upgradation and improvement of school infrastructure including classrooms, basic  facilities,  sanitation,  safe  and  clean  environment  making  government schools more attractive.
- ii. Support for providing school uniforms, and text books.
- iii. Support for pre-primary class in government schools to help children get into formal school system from early age, increasing overall enrollment.
- iv. Identifying Out of School Children (OoSC) and giving support for continuing their education in age-appropriate class.
- v. Support for Smart classrooms, digital boards, ICT labs, virtual classrooms to modernize government schools and reduce the school appeal gap vis  a  vis private school.
- vi. Support for transport facilities to provide access to school.
- vii. Support for Children with Special Needs (CwSN).
- viii. Support for Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Awasiya Vidyalaya (NSCBAV) for marginal / weaker sections to continue education in a safe residential/ school facility up to higher classes.
- ix. Support for strengthening teacher education.

Further,  PM  POSHAN  scheme  (Mid-Day  Meal)  is  implemented  to  provide  a nutritious  hot  cooked  meal  in  government  and  aided  schools,  and  is  periodically evaluated for coverage, quality, nutrition norms and impact on enrolment, retention and attendance.

Implementation of Samagra Shiksha and PM POSHAN schemes are regularly reviewed to assess adequacy / utilization of infrastructure and for achieving desired objectives.  Annual  Work  Plan  &  Budget  of  Samagra  Shiksha  of  States/UTs  is prepared/approved  taking  into  consideration  the  infrastructure  gaps  and  funding under Samagra Shiksha is provided to address such gaps. The position is regularly monitored through periodical review meetings with States/UTs.

The  State  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  been  undertaking  continuous evaluation  of  PM  POSHAN  (Mid-Day  Meal)  Scheme  in  all  Government  Schools. Following initiatives have been taken under this scheme to improve the enrolment of students in Government schools:-

- i. Zone wise menu as per local taste of children and available ingredients duly  taking  the  inputs  from  Nutritional  and  Educational  Experts  as  per Government of India Nutritional Norms.
- ii. Supply of fortified fine quality rice.

State Governments are encouraged to undertake enrolment drives, door-to-door campaigns,  community  mobilization,  etc.  to  increase  enrollment  of  students  in Government schools.

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