Hyderabad: Government schools across Telangana are facing a serious decline in student enrollment. As per recent data, the average number of students per school in the state is just 83, and specifically in government schools, it drops to 72.
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More concerning is the existence of 2,097 schools with zero enrollment, where around 2,000 teachers are still employed — raising questions about resource allocation and system inefficiencies.
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Stark Contrast with Global Education Systems
While Telangana’s government schools struggle with declining numbers, international benchmarks show far higher student enrollments per school:
- USA: Average of 514 students per school
- China: 639 in primary schools and 895 in high schools
- UK: 281 in primary and 989 in secondary schools
These statistics highlight how Telangana has more schools but far fewer students, indicating a misalignment in infrastructure and demand.
Overproliferation of Private Schools Adds to the Crisis
One of the major reasons for the fall in government school enrollment is the uncontrolled licensing of private schools by the Education Department. On average, 300 new private schools are being granted permission each year, diverting students from public institutions.
Shocking Numbers: Thousands of Schools With Fewer Than 10 Students
As of January 2025, the situation is as follows:
- Schools with only 1 student: 53
- 2 students: 142 schools
- 3 students: 183 schools (with 183 teachers)
- 4 students: 247 schools
- 5 students: 280 schools
- 6 students: 310 schools
- 7 students: 329 schools
- 8 students: 296 schools
- 10 or fewer students: 4,314 schools
Despite such low student numbers, 3,326 teachers are employed in these underpopulated schools, putting a strain on public education resources.
Urgent Need for Policy Reform in Public Education
The data calls for immediate and strategic reforms in the public education sector. From merging low-enrollment schools to reassessing teacher deployment and regulating the growth of private schools, the government must take swift action to improve quality and access to education.