The Union Ministry of Education released a report on Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE) on 3 November 2022.
The report indicates a significant drop in teacher-pupil ratio and highlights how schools across Karnataka, particularly those managed and run by the state government are in poor condition, lacking basic facilities.
UDISE+ Study and Its Objective
The main purpose of UDISE Plus study is to collect data from all the schools to identify issues and overcome them using effective implementation of policy.
This is done digitally by collecting the following information:
Enrollment
Teacher-Pupil Ratio
Infrastructure
Conditions of Libraries & Playgrounds
Sanitation & Toilets
Examination Results
Enrolment of Students in Karnataka Schools
By the numbers:
Karnataka has a total of 12.09 crore students studying in 76,450 schools across the state in 2021-22.
The state witnessed an increase in enrollment of students in government schools. According to the report 54.5 lakh students enrolled in government schools in the academic year 2021-22, marking an increase of over four lakh when compared to 2020-21.
The big picture:
While the nominal increase in enrollment rate is a positive step, these numbers have to be read in contrast with the student-teacher ratio, which has dropped, in schools.
Despite the pandemic, enrolment of students in schools in Karnataka has increased by 4 lakhs: UDISE+ Report
(The Quint)
Student-Teacher Ratio
By the numbers:
The number of teachers in government schools in Karnataka has dropped from 2.08 lakh to 1.99 lakh, forcing 6,529 schools in the state to have only one teacher.
The student-teacher ratio is now 23:1, when compared to 21:1 of 2020-21.
The big picture: The student-teacher ratio in the ideal context is considered to be the best when it is 9:1, which is followed in higher educational institutions. But, going by global standards, in primary educational institutions the ideal student-teacher ratio is believed to be 16:1, followed in US educational institutions.
Educationalist and General Secretary of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, D Shashi Kumar told The Quint:
"The number of private unaided schools has also come down by 265 schools. It is not just the pandemic that has affected us, but the poor management by the BJP government as well."
Toilets & Sanitation
By the numbers:
The UDISE plus report also revealed that out of the 76,450 schools in the state:
As many as 3,522 schools do not have functional toilets
More than 1,000 schools do not have separate toilets for girl students
And 328 schools have no toilets for either boys or girls.
The big picture: In India, lack of access to toilet is often what prompts girl students from dropping out of schools. In Karnataka schools, however, not just girl students were denied toilet facilities as boys too lack toilets.
More than 1006 schools across Karnataka lack basic sanitation facilities such as toilets, washing areas and bathrooms.
(The Quint)
Computer and Internet Facility
By the numbers:
The report finds:
As many as 53,860 schools, including 44,371 government schools, in Karnataka do not have internet connectivity.
Only 17,200 schools have functional computers and projectors.
However, 8,016 schools are said to have smart classrooms.
The big picture: Lack of internet and computer facilities would mean that hundreds of students in educational institutions in Karnataka were struggling to attend online classes when schools were closed for months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lack of Other Basic Facilities
By the numbers:
Schools also other lack amenities:
As many as 436 government schools and 278 private ones do not have electricity.
Over 220 campuses have no drinking water.
More than 12,400 schools had no regular health checkups for students.
The big picture:
Based on the findings of the UDISE study and the ongoing political issues in the state, the opposition parties in Karnataka have accused the Basavaraj Bommai led government of growing negligence towards the education sector.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)