Pathanamthitta: The district of Pathanamthitta has the lowest number of students enrolled in public schools in the entire state, thanks to the considerable increase in international migration from the district. The trend is even worse from that of the days when the gulf migration was in its peak. It should be noted that migration to the European Union, US, UK, Australia and Canada is relatively much higher in Pathanamthitta when compared to the rest of the districts in Kerala. The number of Pathanamthitta natives who become permanent citizens of foreign countries are also considerably high.

At present, only 2.21 percent of the total students in the state are from Pathanamthitta. The total number of students enrolled in the schools in the district stands at 82,932. The number of students has decreased by 3,347 compared to the previous academic year. The enrolment rates are comparatively higher in Wayanad and Idukki, the other districts with considerable forest cover similar to that of Pathanamthitta. Five percent of the total number of students in the state are from Alappuzha, the smallest district in Kerala.

A national census held 12 years ago hinted at the diminishing population in Pathanamthitta district. The population density in the district was also on the lower side in the census that was held over a decade ago. The population in the district in the year 2011 stood at 12.34 lakhs. In 2011, it decreased to 11.95 lakhs. Due to the diminishing population, the legislative constituencies in the district were cut short to four from seven.

According to those in the banking sector, students from Pathanamthitta are in the forefront when it comes to those who opt to study abroad. The students of the district are boarding their flights abroad immediately after finishing their 12th grade exams. Engineers and nurses are also increasingly migrating from the district.

The higher secondary enrolments are also on the lower side in the district. While 11,332 students had joined plus one in the previous academic year, this year it has reduced to 11,000. Due to the acute shortage of students, plus one batch has been scrapped in Malayalapuzha and Elanthoor.