94,000 Government Schools Shut in 10 Years: Is India Failing Its Children?

India’s education system faces serious questions after a NITI Aayog report revealed that around 94,000 government schools closed or disappeared from the official count between 2014–15 and 2024–25. During the same period, overall school enrolment fell by 2.26 crore students, raising concerns about access to education and the future of children from disadvantaged families.

The figures translate to an average of approximately 25 fewer government schools every day. For families in rural areas and low-income communities, a nearby government school can be essential. When a school closes or merges with another institution, children may have to travel farther, creating additional difficulties for younger students and their parents.

The government’s position on school consolidation is that merging institutions with low enrolment can help improve resource use and provide better facilities, teachers and learning opportunities. The NITI Aayog report also identifies demographic changes, including declining birth rates, as a factor behind falling student numbers. Therefore, school closures alone do not prove that every affected child has been denied education.

However, the central question remains: are these changes improving education, or are they making access harder for children who need public schools the most? Better infrastructure means little if students cannot reach classrooms easily or drop out before completing their education.

Governments must publish transparent data on school closures, student attendance, travel distances and learning outcomes. Every merger should be assessed on its impact on children, not merely on administrative savings.

Education is not just an election promise; it is a public responsibility. India’s progress should be measured not only by new policies and slogans, but by whether every child can access a safe, affordable and quality school.