Maharashtra’s Zilla Parishad and Municipal Schools Witness Drop of 3 Lakh Students
Pune, 29th July 2023: A concerning decline in student enrollment has been reported in Zilla Parishad and Municipal schools across the state during the academic year 2022-23. According to a circular issued by the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, there has been a notable decrease of three lakhs in the number of students compared to the previous year, 2021-22. This decline may have implications on the annual planning and budget.
The circular presents a detailed comparison of student enrollment figures between 2021-22 and 2022-23. In the previous year, a total of 54,24,723 students were registered in local government schools, with 45,58,008 students in Zilla Parishad schools, 6,80,431 students in municipal schools, and 1,86,284 students in other municipal schools. However, in 2022-23, the total number of registered students dropped to 51,23,955.
Specifically, Zilla Parishad schools saw a decrease of 3,13,764 students, while municipal schools experienced a decline of 8,742 students. Surprisingly, there was a marginal increase of 21,738 students in other municipal schools.
The circular also highlighted a worrisome fact – despite repeated instructions, 100% registration of students in the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) system has not been achieved. This failure to comply may have contributed to the overall decrease in the number of students and is considered a grave matter that could significantly impact the annual budget and planning of the Samagra Shiksha Yojana.
To address this issue, the authorities have issued clear instructions to ensure accurate registration of students in the UDISE+ system without delay.
While some uncertainty remains about whether the decline in student numbers is solely due to actual decreased enrollment or partially influenced by incomplete registrations in the UDISE+ system, data from the past two years indicates an evident decrease in student enrollment.
The Samagra Shiksha Yojana, implemented by the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, aims to provide essential school materials such as uniforms and textbooks to students. However, the decline in student numbers may potentially affect the scheme’s annual budget, leading to reduced funding for the program. As such, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working towards resolving the issue to ensure adequate support for the education system.
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