The latest UDISE+ 2024–25 report from the Union Ministry of Education positions Uttarakhand as the second-best performing state in secondary education nationwide, following Jharkhand. This achievement underscores substantial progress in reducing dropout rates at higher levels of schooling, yet simultaneously highlights persistent challenges in primary education, where early learning and retention remain areas of concern.
Key Achievements in Secondary and Upper Primary Education
Secondary Education: Dropout rates have declined from 5.6% to 4.6%, enabling Uttarakhand to surpass traditionally high-performing states such as Kerala.
Upper Primary Education: Dropout rates have reduced from 2.3% to 1.4% within one year. While states including Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Telangana continue to lead, Uttarakhand’s progress places it ahead of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
These improvements indicate the effectiveness of policy interventions aimed at ensuring educational continuity beyond the primary stage.
Drivers of Improvement
The State Education Minister, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, attributes this progress to:
- Proactive implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).
- Adoption of hybrid and technology-enabled classrooms.
- Integration of skill development and employability-focused learning within the school curriculum.
These reforms have contributed to reducing dropout rates and aligning education with long-term developmental objectives. The state government envisions Uttarakhand’s model as a reference framework for other regions.
UDISE+ as a Monitoring Framework
The UDISE+ system remains India’s most comprehensive school data monitoring tool, capturing real-time information from pre-primary to Class 12 across all recognised schools. The findings for Uttarakhand validate the state’s strategic planning and reform implementation at secondary and upper primary levels.
Persistent Challenges in Primary Education
Despite progress at higher levels, primary education outcomes remain weak:
Dropout rates at the primary level have increased from 0.8% to 0.9%, in contrast to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which report zero dropouts.
A student–teacher ratio of 18:1, while seemingly favourable, points to underutilisation of teaching capacity in light of declining enrolment trends.
Foundational learning gaps and early disengagement risk undermining long-term educational attainment.
Policy Implications and the Road Ahead
The data suggests a clear dichotomy: strong performance in secondary and upper primary education contrasted with stagnation at the foundational stage. To sustain and expand educational progress, policy efforts must now prioritize:
- Strengthening foundational learning and retention at the primary level.
- Optimising teacher deployment and resource utilization.
- Addressing declining enrolment through community engagement and improved access.
Conclusion
Uttarakhand’s advancements at the secondary and upper primary levels reflect the positive outcomes of targeted reforms and NEP integration. However, the state’s long-term educational trajectory will depend on addressing systemic weaknesses in primary education, ensuring that early learning forms a solid foundation for continued academic success.
News source: https://indianmasterminds.com/news/uttarakhand-secondary-education-progress-primary-dropout-concern-146735/
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