India's education system facing a crisis: a parliamentary committee reports nearly 73% of students drop out before finishing higher secondary. This alarming stat comes from Tenth Report from the Committee on Estimates,presented to Lok Sabha on August 12, 2026, scrutinizing budget and policy for affordable quality education .
The report points to a huge gap in school availability across levels. UDISE 2024-25 data shows 1,092,671 schools in total,with a massive 911,032 at primary level. But only 161,808 secondary schools and a scant 90,866 for higher secondary. This shortage fuels the dropout issue.
Committee worried by steep drop in schools and enrollment numbers as students advance. Over 61 million in primary,but only about 24 million in secondary,shrinking to 16 million in higher secondary. Urgent call for Ministry of Education to boost number of secondary and higher secondary schools to ensure access.
Recommendations push for upgrading primary and secondary schools to full higher secondary institutions. Aim: make high school education more accessible,cut dropout rates. Report stresses need for more schools at these key levels.
Education in India is on the Concurrent List, mostly managed by states and UTs. Committee urges Ministry to pressure state and UT governments to set up more secondary and higher secondary schools to increase enrollment.
Also,committee notes big infrastructure gaps for kids with special needs (CwSN). Over half of schools lack facilities for these students . Ministry's Samagra Shiksha scheme provides financial aid to states and UTs to improve infrastructure for Divyang students .
Despite plans, only 523,143 schools have CwSN-friendly toilets,and 808,466 have ramps and handrails. In 2024-25 budget,₹482 lakh was earmarked for 186 CwSN toilets,but just ₹2.60 lakh spent . Progress lacking.
On hiring special educators, only ₹80.50 lakh of ₹962 lakh budget for elementary section used. Highlights slow hiring,retaining of special educators for CwSN students.
Committee acknowledges Ministry's inclusive approach for Divyang children. RPnD Act, 2016,ensures free education for kids with benchmark disabilities up to 18 . NEP 2020 supports Zero Rejection Policy,no child denied education due to disability .
Yet, committee urges Ministry to stick to budget targets and timely execute CwSN projects. Calls for safe, accessible infrastructure for Divyang students and nationwide assessment of special educator needs,completing recruitment quickly.
