New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has flagged a “drastic decline” in the number of schools and students as the level of education rises, noting that nearly 73 per cent of students drop out before completing higher secondary education.
The observation was made in the Tenth Report of the Committee on Estimates (2026-27) on “Budget and Policy Aspects for Providing Affordable and Quality Education in the Country, including Review of the Central Board of Secondary Education.” The report was presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The committee noted that the number of schools available at the secondary and higher secondary levels is significantly lower compared with those at the primary and upper primary levels.
The panel expressed concern over the sharp decline in student enrolment as learners progress through successive stages of education and stressed the need for measures to improve retention and ensure that more students complete their higher secondary education.
