Guwahati: Assam recorded a lower decline in overall enrolment in Government and government-aided schools than the national average during the 2024–25 academic year, while enrolment in Classes IX to XII registered a marginal increase, according to the latest UDISE+ data shared by Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Sunday.
Sharing the state-wise comparison of enrolment figures on social media platform X, the Minister said the data reflects an all-India trend of declining enrolment in Government and government-aided schools. According to the published UDISE+ report, overall enrolment across the country fell by 4.4 per cent between the 2023–24 and 2024–25 academic sessions.
In Assam, the overall enrolment declined by 4.1 per cent, which is lower than the national average. The total number of students enrolled in Government and government-aided schools in the State decreased from 51,89,931 in 2023–24 to 49,77,163 in 2024–25, reflecting a reduction of 2,12,768 students.
Despite the overall decline, Assam recorded an increase in enrolment at the secondary and higher secondary levels. The number of students enrolled in Classes IX to XII increased from 11,00,615 to 11,10,532, registering a growth of 9,917 students, or 0.9 per cent. In comparison, enrolment in the same category at the national level declined by 0.6 per cent during the period.
Highlighting another positive indicator, Pegu said the State has witnessed a consistent decline in school dropout rates across all levels over the past three academic years. Citing official figures, he said the primary-level dropout rate fell from 6.02 per cent in 2021–22 to 3.8 per cent in 2024–25, while the upper primary dropout rate declined from 8.8 per cent to 5.0 per cent during the same period.
At the secondary level, the dropout rate also improved, falling from 20.3 per cent in 2021–22 to 17.5 per cent in 2024–25. The Minister attributed the improvement to targeted interventions and focused government initiatives aimed at improving student retention and strengthening the school education system.
Pegu said the State Government remains committed to further reducing dropout rates through sustained policy measures and educational programmes. The latest UDISE+ data indicates that while overall school enrolment has declined across most states, Assam has recorded a lower rate of decline than the national average and achieved positive growth in enrolment at the secondary level.
