Defying National Trend: More Kids in Haryana, Manipur, Telangana Opt for Private Schools

According to the most recent data on primary school enrollment from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), three states continue to defy the national trend that government schools continue to enroll the majority of school-age children.

As per the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) 2022-23, which was published last month, more children in Haryana, Manipur, Telangana, and Puducherry (Union Territory) attend private schools than government ones in Classes 1 through 5.

The results of the 2021–22 UDISE survey (Unified District Information System for Education) from these three states are supported by this first-of-its-kind study.

The national average for primary-aged students attending private (or unassisted) schools is 23.4%, while the government school average is 66.7%, per the most recent CAMS survey.

In Telangana, however, 57.5% of children attend private schools and 30.5% attend government schools, while 45.6% of children in Haryana attend private schools and 40.2% attend government schools. According to the figure, Manipur has the largest proportion of primary school students attending private schools (74%), while government schools only have 21%.

In several states, the vast majority of students attend government schools. With 5% of children attending private schools, West Bengal has the lowest percentage, followed by Odisha (6.3%) and Tripura (6.2%).

The Chief Executive Officer of Pratham Education Foundation, which annually administers the ASER (or Annual Status of Education Report) assessment on learning outcomes, Rukmini Banerjee, stated that the increase in private school enrollment is fueled by both rising parental ambitions and increased disposable cash. While regional languages are frequently taught in government schools, private schools are typically thought to teach predominantly in English, while this may not always be the case. Additionally, there are also a large number of affordable private schools around the country.

The proportion of females aged 6 to 10 who attend primary school in urban areas is 88.7%, whereas in rural regions, the ratio is higher at 90.3%. 89.6% of males aged 6 to 10 are enrolled in primary education in urban areas, while 90.6% of them are enrolled in rural regions.