Delhi: MCD schools add over 150,000 students as enrolments jump

Cumulatively, the number of primary school students enrolled in the 1,646 schools run by the three corporations has gone up from 720,000 in 2020-21 to 871,000 this year.

The number of students who enrolled in primary schools run by Delhi’s three municipal corporations witnessed a significant increase in the current academic year (2021-22).

School closures and mergers in the last six years have led to the number of primary schools reducing from 719 to 700 under North DMC; 605 to 592 under SDMC; and 367 to 354 under EDMC, the official data shows. (Picture for representation only/HT Archive)

The data from the education departments of the three civic bodies shows that the enrolment figures in the 700 schools of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North DMC) primary schools went from 267,000 in the last year to 341,000 in the current academic year. Similarly, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (EDMC) 354 schools witnessed an increase from 162,000 students to 225,000 while the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (SDMC) numbers went up from 291,000 to 305,000 in 592 primary schools.

Cumulatively, the number of primary school students enrolled in the 1,646 schools run by the three corporations has gone up from 720,000 in 2020-21 to 871,000 this year.

Meanwhile, school closures and mergers in the last six years have led to the number of primary schools reducing from 719 to 700 under North DMC; 605 to 592 under SDMC; and 367 to 354 under EDMC, the official data shows.

Municipal functionaries attribute the jump in numbers to the facilities being provided in the schools. EDMC mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal said that the schools provide students with free education, bags, dry ration as well as multiple subsidies. “We have also decided to start offering English medium education in all our schools based on the demands of the parents,” Aggarwal said, adding that the trans-Yamuna area comprises a large number of households from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Inderjeet Seharwat, leader of the House in SDMC, said special drives have been carried out by SDMC teachers to survey drop-outs and municipal schools have witnessed improvement in standards.

In September, the Delhi government also reported a similar trend of a large number of students shifting from private schools to government schools. Around 240,000 students studying in various private schools applied for admission to government schools in the Capital and, over 160,000 students were admitted to government schools. According to data released by the directorate of education, 236,522 applications were received by about 1,030 government schools.

To be sure, the rise in government school enrolment numbers is being observed all over India. Last month, Pratham’s annual status of education report (ASER) 2021 analysed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns on schooling in 25 states and union territories. ASER suggested a shift from private to government schools as enrolment in private schools decreased from 32.5% in 2018 to 24.4% in 2021.The private school association states that poor economic condition, free dry ration and closure of private primary schools led to this situation.

RC Jain, president of Delhi State Public School Management Association, said that a large number of private primary and nursery schools closed down due to high building rentals, salaries and associated operational costs. “The paying capacity of parents has also reduced due to the pandemic. When the schools reopen, we will see a reverse migration,” he added.

Khagesh Jha, an education activist, who heads the organisation Forum for Indian Parents, said that the main reason behind the rise in enrolment is that the families are no longer able to afford private school education and prefer the free alternative-- government schools.

“There has been no improvement in the education being provided in these schools. The shift is taking place due to economic distress,” he said.

Jha added that the enrolment data needs to be audited against the physical attendance of students when the schools reopen fully.

Jogi Ram Jain, the standing committee chairman of North DMC did not comment on the matter.