In a comprehensive snapshot of the Indian school education landscape, the Ministry of Education has released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for the academic year 2024–25, highlighting significant progress across key indicators. For the first time, the total number of teachers has crossed the 1-crore mark, contributing to improved pupil-teacher ratios and better classroom engagement, the report has stated.
The report also notes a substantial drop in dropout rates, higher student retention and transition rates, and improved gross enrolment at Middle and Secondary levels. Alongside, major strides in school infrastructure, including enhanced digital access, sanitation, and inclusivity, reflect a growing commitment to quality and equitable education nationwide.
Notably, the representation of female teachers and girls’ enrolment also saw a positive rise, underscoring continued efforts toward gender equity in the education system.
As per the report, the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) at the Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary levels are now reported as 10, 13, 17, and 21 respectively, all significantly improved ratio qua NEP’s recommended ratio of 1:30. This improved PTR facilitates more individualized attention and stronger interaction between teachers and students, contributing to enhanced learning experiences and better academic outcomes.
The academic year 2024-25 has seen a notable reduction in dropout rates across the Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary levels as compared to the last two years namely, 2022-23, and 2023-24. At the Preparatory stage, the rate declined from 3.7% to 2.3%, at the Middle stage from 5.2% to 3.5%, and at the Secondary stage from 10.9% to 8.2% in comparison with the previous year. This downward trend highlights improved student retention and reflects the success of initiatives aimed at keeping children engaged in their education. The consistent decrease across all levels suggests that schools are becoming more supportive and responsive to students’ needs, helping to reduce early departures from the system.
The academic year 2024-25 saw a notable rise in student retention across all levels. Retention rates improved from 98.0% to 98.9% at the Foundational level, 85.4% to 92.4% at Preparatory, 78.0% to 82.8% at Middle, and 45.6% to 47.2% at Secondary. The increase, especially at the Secondary level, is linked to a rise in schools offering secondary education, enhancing access and supporting continued enrolment. These gains reflect the positive impact of targeted educational interventions, the report stated.
The academic year 2024-25 has also seen a rise in the representation of female teachers, with women now comprising 54.2% of the total teaching workforce. This marks a positive shift towards gender balance in the education sector and reflects ongoing efforts to promote women’s participation in the teaching profession. The growing presence of female teachers can have a significant impact on creating inclusive, supportive, and gender-sensitive learning environments across all levels of schooling.