New Delhi, Oct 26: Nearly 8,000 schools across India recorded zero enrolments during the 2024–25 academic session, with West Bengal leading the list, followed by Telangana, according to data from the Ministry of Education.
The report revealed that 7,993 schools had no students, a decline from 12,954 schools the previous year. Despite having no enrolments, these schools collectively employed 20,817 teachers — of which 17,965 were in West Bengal, which also accounted for 3,812 non-functional schools.
Telangana ranked second with 2,245 such schools, employing 1,016 teachers, while Madhya Pradesh followed with 463 schools and 223 teachers. In contrast, Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura reported no schools with zero enrolments.
The Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh also had full enrolment.
A senior education ministry official said states have been advised to address the issue through school mergers and optimal resource use, including infrastructure and staff.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh recorded 81 schools with zero enrolment, and the state’s education board has decided to revoke recognition of schools that have reported no students for three consecutive years.
The data also showed that over 33 lakh students study in 1.1 lakh single-teacher schools, with Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh topping the list. The number of single-teacher schools dropped by 6 per cent compared to the previous year. (Agencies)
