Govt-aided LP schools face losses as parents opt CBSE schools for primary education

Kalpetta: With parents choosing CBSE schools for their children’s primary education, the government and aided Lower Primary (LP) schools are running at a loss in the state. 

In the academic year 2023-24, 862 government and aided schools --349 govt and 513 aided-- are included in the list of loss-making institutions in the state. At the same time, most of the Upper Primary (UP) and high schools have been successful in retaining students.

There are 34 government LP schools and 91 aided schools with less than 10 students in the state. There are 174 schools, including 60 government and 114 aided schools, with a student enrollment ranging from 10 to 15. Additionally, there are 563 schools, consisting of 255 government and 308 aided schools, that have a student enrollment between 15 and 25. As far as the UP schools are concerned, there are just eight schools and three high schools with less than 10 students.

Academicians say that this crisis is due to the increase in the number of people choosing to enrol their children in CBSE schools for primary education and later shifting them to government schools upon reaching high school. Numerous parents highlight the fact that private schools can aid children in developing fluency in the English language.

Enrollment in government schools increased in the first two academic years post-Covid but declined again. At the same time, teachers say that more children are interested in continuing their studies in government high schools. 

The reason is the importance given to extra-curricular activities along with studies. Academicians have also observed that there is no shortage of children in government schools that take special measures to ensure language proficiency, including English.

There are relatively few schools in the Malabar region that have a deficit of students. Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kasaragod districts have few loss-making schools in the government and aided sector. However, there are allegations that there is a practice of manipulating attendance, including in tribal areas. It is alleged that efforts are being made to prevent the number of divisions from being reduced.