J&K’s Higher Secondary enrollment ratio falls to 44.8%, NITI Aayog data shows

SRINAGAR — The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher-secondary education in Jammu and Kashmir has fallen to 44.8%, marking a sharp decline in enrolment as students progress from primary to Classes XI and XII, according to NITI Aayog’s latest assessment of the school education system.

The data shows a pronounced drop across successive stages of schooling. J&K’s primary-level GER stands at 113.7%, but falls to 77.3% at the upper-primary level, 66.1% at the secondary level, and further to 44.8% at the higher secondary level.

The figures indicate that while enrolment at the primary stage is relatively high, participation declines considerably as students move towards higher classes.

Clarification on GER figure

The 44.8% figure represents the Gross Enrolment Ratio and should not be interpreted as meaning that 55.2% of children have dropped out. GER compares total enrolment at a particular level with the population in the official age group for that level and can include students outside the prescribed age group.

The sharp decline nevertheless points to a significant challenge in retaining and transitioning students through the higher stages of school education.

Also Read ✨ 94% Match

Kulgam teacher receives President’s invite for outstanding contribution to school education

Dropout rate above national average

The issue is compounded by J&K’s secondary dropout rate, which NITI Aayog places at 12.9%, above the national figure of 11.5%.

The pattern raises questions over what happens to students between the primary and higher-secondary stages, and whether factors such as access, household circumstances, school availability, distance, affordability and the transition from secondary to higher secondary education are contributing to the decline.

The data also highlights the need to examine the availability and accessibility of higher secondary education, particularly for students living in remote and geographically difficult areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

While the primary GER of 113.7% indicates that J&K has achieved broad participation at the entry level of school education, the fall to 44.8% at the higher-secondary stage shows that maintaining participation through Classes XI and XII remains a substantially greater challenge.