Students' enrollment sees steep decline in AP

WITH the 2025-26 academic year underway, a sharp shortfall of 2,66,860 students in school and junior college enrollments across the state has raised alarm among education activists and parents' associations.

- K KALYAN KRISHNA KUMAR @ Vijayawada

According to official data released on June 30, the total number of enrolled students from Class 1 to 12 stands at 76,02,854, compared to 78,69,714 last year, a significant decline spanning all types of educational institutions, including government, aided, and private.

The gap is most visible in primary education, particularly in Class 1, which saw a steep fall from 6.87 lakh in 2024-25 to 5.60 lakh in the current year, a drop of 1.26 lakh. The trend indicates not only a demographic decline but also administrative lapses in timely enrollment.

Though enrollment drives are still ongoing and the UDISE+ figures are yet to be finalized (expected by September 30), the magnitude of the decline has sparked serious concern.