Union Education Minister Reveals 31% Increase in Girl Student Enrollment Since 2014-15

During question hour in Rajya Sabha, Union Education Minister highlighted that initiatives undertaken by the central government resulted in a 31% rise in the enrollment of female students in schools. At present, India has 300 million students, with 26 crore in classes 1 to 12 and four crore in higher education. Check details here 

During the Rajya Sabha question hour on regarding the New Education Policy 2024, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that initiatives driven by the central government, resulted in a 31 percent increase in female student enrollment in schools between 2014-15 and 2021-22. There is also a 45% surge in female students from the Muslim minority attending schools, underscoring significant progress toward gender equality and inclusive education.

He highlighted that since 2014, there has been a 26.5% upsurge in the overall count of students enrolled in schools and universities. Pradhan highlighted that India hosts more than 300 million students, with 260 million enrolled in classes 1 to 12 and four crore in higher education. Yet, only a minute fraction of these students opt to pursue their studies abroad.

Maximum Surge In ST, SC, OBC Students

Pradhan highlighted a notable increase in school attendance among marginalized communities, with a 44 per cent rise in students from backward classes, a 50 per cent surge in female students from Scheduled Castes (SC), and a remarkable 80 per cent increase in female students from Scheduled Tribes (ST) enrolled in schools. He further mentioned that there has been an expansion in the number of students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs). 

Teaching of Indian languages in schools

The education minister stressed on the significance of teaching of Indian languages in schools, affirming that the essence of India lies within its languages. This serves as the core rationale behind the government's efforts to implement strategies that strengthen the teaching of Indian languages. As per the revised syllabus, it is compulsory for all students in the classes 11th and 12th to study a minimum of two languages, with one of them required to be an Indian language.

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