Decline in student enrolment has resulted in closure of govt. schools in the country, says VIT Chancellor

G. Viswanathan, the Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology, has highlighted a concerning trend in the Indian education sector. He stated that a steady decline in student enrollment is leading to the closure of numerous government schools. According to Viswanathan, many public institutions are struggling to maintain viable student numbers, which threatens their operational sustainability and long-term existence in various regions of the country.

The primary driver of this shift, as identified by the VIT Chancellor, is the growing preference among families for private schools. He noted that students are increasingly moving away from the public system, leaving many government schools with poor enrollment figures. This migration suggests a changing perception of educational quality and infrastructure, where private institutions are seen as offering better resources or outcomes, thereby draining the student base of state-run schools.

For readers in India, this development raises critical questions about the accessibility and quality of public education. If government schools continue to close due to lack of students, the safety net for millions of families who rely on free or subsidized education may weaken. The situation underscores the need for policy interventions to improve the appeal and infrastructure of public schools to ensure equitable access to quality education for all socioeconomic groups.