Economic Survey 2025–26 flags learning gaps, higher education quality as key education challenges
The Economic Survey 2025–26, presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, has underlined learning outcomes and the quality of higher education as the next major hurdles for India’s education system. While India has largely achieved universal enrolment at the school level, the Survey cautions that enrolment gains have not translated evenly into learning outcomes. The challenge becomes sharper beyond the elementary stage, with the net enrolment ratio (NER) at the secondary level standing at just 52.2%. This, the Survey notes, underscores the urgent need to retain students beyond Class 8. A major concern highlighted is the uneven distribution of schools across regions. Around 54% of schools in the country offer only foundational and preparatory education, whereas just 17.1% provide secondary education in rural areas. In contrast, urban regions have a significantly higher share of secondary schools at 38.1%. This imbalance restricts rural students’ access to higher classes, leading to longer travel times, higher dropout rates and significant transition losses. The data shows a steady decline in enrolment as students move from foundational and preparatory stages to middle and secondary levels in rural India. Urban areas, however, witness an increase in enrolment from middle to secondary stages, pointing to persistent rural–urban disparities. Grade-wise trends further confirm a sharp drop in participation at the secondary level. The Survey acknowledges progress made through investments in infrastructure and teacher capacity, supported by schemes such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and Poshan Shakti Nirman, which have improved access and equity. However, it stresses that the policy focus must now shift decisively from enrolment to learning outcomes. To improve retention and optimise resources, the Survey recommends expanding composite and integrated schools, upgrading schools up to Class 7, and strengthening open schooling systems. It also calls for better infrastructure, enhanced teacher training through District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), and greater involvement of parents and communities in school governance. Aligning curriculum and assessment reforms with the National Education Policy (NEP), along with the effective use of digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, could help deliver equitable and high-quality education, even in remote areas, the Survey suggests. On higher education, the Survey notes the rapid growth in institutions and student enrolment over the past decade but raises concerns about quality, faculty shortages and uneven research capabilities. It advocates greater institutional autonomy, stronger academic leadership, and deeper integration of research and innovation to enhance global competitiveness. The Survey also emphasises the need for experience-based and skill-oriented learning, observing that conventional classroom models often fail to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Expanding vocational education, internships and industry partnerships is seen as critical to improving employability and aligning education with labour market needs. While digital education initiatives are recognised as powerful tools for expanding reach, especially in underserved regions, the Survey cautions that technology cannot replace strong pedagogy and well-trained teachers, and must be supported by sustained investments in human capacity. Source: Indian Express
