GUWAHATI, JULY 6: Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu has acknowledged the decline in student enrolment in government schools across the state, stating that the trend is not unique to Assam but reflects a broader national pattern. He also outlined several factors contributing to the decline, including demographic changes, data correction measures, and shifts in enrolment patterns across different education levels.
According to the minister, government school admissions have declined across India by 4.4%, while Assam has recorded a comparatively lower decline of 4.1%. He said the issue should be viewed in the context of nationwide demographic and educational trends rather than as a state-specific concern.
Pegu said that over the past three years, Assam has undertaken an extensive UDISE+ data-cleaning exercise. The verification process included Aadhaar linkage, student identity authentication, and the removal of duplicate, fake, or inactive enrolment records. As a result, nearly 3 lakh enrolment records were deleted from the database, making the current figures a more accurate reflection of actual student strength in government schools.
The minister also pointed to a structural shift in enrolment patterns. While admissions at the primary level have declined, enrolment at the secondary level has increased. He said this indicates improved student retention and a higher transition rate from lower to higher classes.
Highlighting demographic factors, Pegu noted that Assam’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR) have been declining steadily over the past few years, in line with national trends. With fewer children being born, the number of new entrants into schools has naturally decreased, affecting overall enrolment figures.
The minister said the decline in government school admissions should therefore be assessed in the broader context of changing population trends, the UDISE+ data-cleaning exercise, and structural changes in student enrolment, rather than being viewed in isolation.