Infrastructure in govt. schools catching up with private ones in 2024

Government schools in India have significantly improved infrastructure, almost matching private schools, with data showing progress in various amenities.

Government schools have notably improved in the provision of basic infrastructure facilities to students over the past 10 years, and are almost on a par with private schools, data show. More than 80% of government schools in India are equipped with functional electricity, ramps, boys’ and girls’ toilets, handwash, and libraries.

Table 1 shows the shares (%) of government and private schools that provide various infrastructural amenities as mentioned in the latest data released by the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+), maintained by the Ministry of Education.

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Compared to 2013-14, the share of government schools providing functional electricity has doubled from 45% to 90% in 2023-24, while the share of those equipped with computers has tripled from 15% to 51% in the same period. The share of government schools having libraries and ramps, and conducting medical checkups, has surpassed that of private schools equipped with the same in 2024.

Table 2 shows the share of rural and urban schools equipped with various infrastructure facilities in 2014 and 2024. Facilities such as drinking water, electricity, functional toilets, libraries, ramps, and playgrounds are available in more than 75% of rural schools across India in 2024.

The latest report shows the gap between the share of rural and urban schools in select infrastructure facilities has narrowed. The share of rural schools with ramps and regular medical checkups has surpassed the share of urban schools with the same. Drinking water, toilets, libraries, and playgrounds were provided in almost the same share of rural and urban schools. However, schools in rural areas continue to lag in the availability of computers, rainwater harvesting systems, and internet connection.

Table 3 compares the availability of select infrastructure facilities in 2013-14 and 2023-24. The data is provided for all major States across government and private schools. The greener the cell, the greater the percentage of schools (by management) with the facility and vice versa.