Chicago – June 01, 2026
A recent report by NITI Comission has highlighted serious challenges facing India’s school education system, revealing major gaps in infrastructure, teacher availability, student retention, and learning outcomes across the country.
According to the report, more than 1.19 lakh schools lack electricity, while nearly 98,600 schools do not have functional girls’ toilets. Over 1.04 lakh schools are operating with only a single teacher, raising concerns about the quality of education being delivered to millions of students.
The report also points to a sharp decline in student retention at higher levels of education. While enrollment remains high at the primary level, the Gross Enrolment Ratio drops significantly by higher secondary education, with secondary-school dropout rates reaching 11.5%.
Researchers noted that India has largely solved the challenge of getting children into schools, but keeping them in the education system through secondary and higher secondary levels remains a major hurdle.
The study further highlights shortages of laboratories, drinking water facilities, digital infrastructure, and qualified teachers in several states. It also notes growing dependence on private schools, with enrollment in government schools falling below 50% nationally.
Despite improvements in infrastructure over the past decade, the report warns that uneven development, weak learning outcomes, and staffing shortages continue to affect educational quality across large parts of the country. It calls for major reforms in school governance, teacher management, foundational learning, and digital education to address these challenges.
