Tamil Nadu Experiences the Lowest School Enrolment Rate in South India, According to Survey Findings

Tamil Nadu, a state in India known for its strong educational infrastructure, is facing a significant challenge in terms of school enrolment. A recent survey revealed that the state has the lowest school enrolment rate among the southern states, a trend that is alarming given its historical pride in educational achievements.

According to the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey for the 2022-23 academic year, conducted by the National Sample Survey Office and released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, only 91% of children aged six to ten are enrolled in schools in Tamil Nadu. This figure is notably lower than in other southern states, with Karnataka leading at 97.4%, followed by Kerala at 94.4%, and Telangana and Andhra Pradesh at 91.1%. Nationally, Tripura has the highest enrolment rate at 97.9%, with the national average standing at 90.1%.

The survey also highlighted the distribution of these enrolled students across different types of schools. Approximately 50% of the children in this age group are enrolled in government schools, 29.6% in private schools, and 20.4% in aided schools. There is a significant disparity between urban and rural areas; in urban areas, only 30.7% of students are enrolled in government schools, whereas this number more than doubles to 62.9% in rural areas. Private schools attract 44.3% of students in urban areas but only 19.3% in rural areas. Aided schools see higher enrolment in urban areas at 24.5% compared to 17.6% in rural areas.

Educationists have expressed concern over this drop in enrolment, particularly given Tamil Nadu’s past record of having more than 98% primary enrolment. The current issue is not just about the number of students enrolled but also about the poor learning outcomes, which are comparable to those in underdeveloped states like Bihar. Experts suggest that counting students from unrecognised nurseries and homeschooling could potentially boost the state’s enrolment figures. They advocate for a thorough summer door-to-door survey to ensure 100% enrolment in primary classes.

Despite the challenges in primary enrolment, Tamil Nadu fares better in terms of literacy and educational attainment among the 15-24 age group. According to the survey, 99.7% of individuals in this age group can read, write, and perform simple arithmetic calculations, a figure only surpassed by Kerala at 99.8%. The mean years of schooling in Tamil Nadu stand at 9.2 years, comparable to Karnataka but lower than Kerala’s 10.8 years.

However, there is still a significant portion of the population in the 15-24 age group that remains unenrolled in education, employment, or training. About 15.5% of this age group in Tamil Nadu falls into this category, which is the second lowest among southern states, just ahead of Karnataka at 15.2% but behind Kerala at 17.7%, Andhra Pradesh at 20.1%, and Telangana at 16.1%.

The survey, which covered nearly all of India except some inaccessible villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, involved about 3 lakh households. It provides a comprehensive view of the educational landscape in Tamil Nadu and underscores the need for the state government to implement more robust measures to ensure all children are enrolled in schools.

In summary, while Tamil Nadu has historically been a leader in education, the current drop in school enrolment rates, especially among primary school-aged children, is a cause for concern. The state needs to address these issues through targeted initiatives, such as thorough surveys and inclusive counting of all educational setups, to restore its reputation for high educational standards.

[Original Article Link](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadus-shocking-school-enrolment-drop-lowest-in-south-india/articleshow/115027762.cms)

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