Context:
The National Sample Survey (NSS) 80th Round on education reveals that government schools continue to be the backbone of India’s schooling system, especially in rural areas. However, the survey highlights sharp disparities in education expenditure, access, and reliance on private schooling and coaching, raising concerns about equity and social justice.
Key Highlights:
Enrolment Pattern in School Education
- Government schools account for 55.9% of total student enrolments nationwide.
- Their role is more pronounced in rural India, enrolling 66% of students.
- In urban areas, government schools account for only 30.1%, while private unaided schools dominate.
- Private unaided schools constitute 31.9% of total enrolment across India.
Education Expenditure Disparities
- Average annual household spending per student:
- Government schools: ₹2,863
- Non-government schools: ₹25,002 (almost 9 times higher)
- Course fees form the largest component of education expenditure:
- National average: ₹7,111 per student
- Urban areas: ₹15,143
- Rural areas: ₹3,979
Private Coaching Trend
- Around 27% of students take private coaching.
- Higher prevalence in:
- Urban areas: 30.7%
- Rural areas: 25.5%
- Reflects concerns about quality of schooling and competitive pressures.
Financing of Education
- 95% of students depend on household members for funding school education.
- Only 1.2% rely on government scholarships, indicating limited outreach of public financial support.
Social Implications
- High private school fees and coaching costs risk excluding poorer households.
- Reinforces inter-generational inequality and uneven learning outcomes.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Unequal access and affordability in school education.
- Key Data:
- Govt. schools: 55.9% enrolment
- Rural govt. school enrolment: 66%
- Private school spending nearly 9 times higher than govt. schools
- Causes:
- Perceived quality gap
- Urbanisation and rising aspirations
- Impact:
- Increased household financial burden
- Dependence on private coaching
- Institutions:
- National Sample Survey (NSS) – Ministry of Statistics
Relevant Mains Points:
- Key Concepts & Definitions:
- NSS: Nationwide socio-economic data collection for evidence-based policymaking
- Household Expenditure: Major driver of education financing in India
- Private Coaching: Supplementary education outside formal schooling
- Governance & Social Justice Angle:
- Government schools remain crucial for inclusive education
- High private costs undermine Right to Education (RTE) objectives
- Challenges Identified:
- Quality perception gap between public and private schools
- Limited scholarship coverage
- Urban–rural expenditure divide
- Way Forward:
- Strengthen quality of government schools (teachers, infrastructure, learning outcomes)
- Expand scholarships and targeted financial aid
- Regulate private school fees and coaching sector
- Invest in equitable public education to reduce inequality
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper II: Social Justice, Education, Welfare Schemes, Governance