UDISE+ 2024-25: Over 1 Crore Teachers in India, Student-Teacher Ratio Sees Improvement
According to the latest report by the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) under the Ministry of Education, India has crossed the milestone of 1 crore school teachers for the first time in any academic year. This increase marks a significant step towards improving student-teacher ratios, ensuring quality education, and addressing regional disparities in teacher availability.
Quality Teaching Still a Challenge
Despite the increase in teacher numbers, delivering quality education remains a challenge in India. Thousands of schools across the country still operate with only one teacher managing multiple classes and subjects.
India Has More Teachers Than Population of Many Nations
Interestingly, out of 233 countries listed on Worldometer, only 88 nations have a population over 1 crore. The number of teachers in India alone surpasses the total population of the remaining 145 countries, reflecting the massive scale of India’s education system.
What is UDISE+?
UDISE+ is a data collection platform operated by the Ministry of Education. It helps gather and analyze nationwide data related to school education across various parameters.
Student-Teacher Ratio Improving
The report shows a notable improvement in the student-teacher ratio at various education levels, all better than the National Education Policy (NEP) standard of 1:30. Improved ratios enable more personal attention and better learning outcomes.
- Foundational Level: 1:10
- Preparatory Level: 1:13
- Middle Level: 1:17
- Secondary Level: 1:21
Dropout Rate Shows Significant Decline
The dropout rate in the academic year 2024-25 has significantly declined, reflecting the success of measures aimed at keeping children enrolled and engaged in school. The consistent drop indicates that schools are becoming more responsive and supportive of student needs.
Improvement in Retention Rate
There has been a notable improvement in the retention rate of students in schools during 2024-25. Especially at the secondary level, better access to secondary education has led to increased enrolments and sustained attendance, marking positive progress in the education system.
Decrease in Zero Enrollment and Single-Teacher Schools
The report also highlights a significant decrease in zero-enrollment schools and single-teacher schools. Due to focused and meaningful government initiatives, zero-enrollment schools have dropped by nearly 38%, while single-teacher schools have reduced by approximately 6% compared to the previous year.