18,727 government schools closed in India in 5 years, private schools rise

India's school education system is shifting, with over 18,700 government schools closing in five years while private schools continue to grow. This trend raises concerns about affordability, rural access, and education equity, signalling major changes in the country's public education structure.

India’s school education system is witnessing a notable transformation, with government data presented in the Rajya Sabha indicating a steady decline in public schools alongside a rise in private unaided institutions.

CPI(M) MP John Brittas has raised concerns over the decline in government schools in India, stating that more than 18,000 such institutions have shut down over the past five years.

Highlighting government data presented in the Rajya Sabha, Brittas described the trend as alarming for the country’s public education system, sharing his concerns in a post on X.

The data indicate a slow but consistent contraction of government schooling infrastructure, which has traditionally served as the backbone of affordable education, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions.

At the same time, the increase in private schools suggests a growing demand for alternative education options among families.

According to official government data, the total number of government schools in India declined from 10,32,049 in 2020-21 to 10,13,322 in 2024-25. This indicates that 18,727 government schools were closed over a period of five years.