Imagine thousands of schools standing empty, yet employing tens of thousands of teachers. It sounds like a paradox, but this is the reality in India, where nearly 8,000 schools reported zero student enrollment during the 2024-25 academic year, according to Ministry of Education data. Even more astonishing? These schools collectively employ over 20,000 teachers, raising critical questions about resource allocation and educational efficiency.
But here's where it gets controversial: West Bengal alone accounts for the majority of these ghost schools, with 3,812 institutions and 17,965 teachers on the payroll despite having no students. Telangana follows with 2,245 schools, while states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Goa boast zero such cases. This disparity sparks debate: Is this a failure of state-level education management, or a symptom of deeper demographic and infrastructural challenges?
And this is the part most people miss: While the overall number of zero-enrollment schools dropped by over 5,000 from the previous year, the issue persists, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The latter, for instance, has 81 such schools and is now threatening to revoke recognition for those with three consecutive years of zero enrollment. But is this enough, or should more radical measures be taken?
Meanwhile, another startling trend emerges: over 33 lakh students are enrolled in more than 1 lakh single-teacher schools, with Andhra Pradesh leading the pack. Uttar Pradesh, however, tops the list for student enrollment in these schools, followed by Jharkhand and West Bengal. While the number of single-teacher schools decreased by 6% from 2022–23 to 2023–24, the question remains: Are these schools providing adequate education, or are they a bandaid solution for underfunded systems?
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should states focus on merging these underutilized schools to optimize resources, or is there a case for keeping them open to serve potential future students? And what does this say about the broader challenges of education accessibility and equity in India? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of education.
