Paper: GS – I/II, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Social Sector – Education, Issue: Rising Educational Costs in India.
Context:
Article 21A ensures free schooling for ages 6–14, and NEP 2020 aims to extend universal education from ages 3 to 18 by 2030. However, high private school fees and widespread coaching costs continue to block equitable access to quality education for many families
Key Highlights:
Enrolment Trends in Schools:
- National Level:
- 55.9% of students are enrolled in government schools.
- 11.3% are in private aided schools.
- 31.9% are in private unaided schools.
- Urban vs. Rural:
- Private school enrollment is significantly higher in urban areas (51.4%) compared to rural areas (24.3%).
- The gender gap in private school enrollment is relatively small.
- Education Level:
- In rural areas, government schools are more prevalent across all education levels.
- In urban areas, private school enrollment decreases as education levels increase.
- Comparison with Previous Surveys:
- There has been an increase in the share of children enrolled in private schools compared to the NSS 75th Round survey.
- This trend is observed in both rural and urban areas, contributing to rising education costs.
School Fees:
- Course Fees:
- In rural areas, 25.3% of government school students and 98.2% of private school students reported paying course fees.
- In urban areas, 34.7% of government school students and 98% of private school students reported paying course fees.
- Annual Fees:
- In government schools, rural fees range from ₹823 (pre-primary) to ₹7,308 (higher secondary), while urban fees range from ₹1,630 (pre-primary) to ₹7704 (higher secondary).
- In private schools, rural fees start at ₹17,988 (pre-primary) and go up to ₹33,567 (higher secondary), while urban fees range from ₹26,188 (pre-primary) to ₹49,075 (higher secondary).
India’s schooling system is increasingly divided, with rising private education costs worsening financial strain and social inequality. Strengthening public schools through better quality, resources, and fee regulation is essential to fulfil Article 21A and NEP 2020 goals.
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