State of Punjab Education: Analysis Based on DISE Data

One of the main objectives of RTE Act introduced in 2009 was to improve the accessibility by having primary schools within the periphery of 1 km area. The review of literature highlights the overemphasis placed in RTE implementation on quantitative aspects such as enrolment and literacy rates and no- detention policy at the cost of ignoring quality aspects. This is also partially explained by increase in number of schools from 23272 to 28776 during 2010–16. The number of all types of schools in Punjab increased from 23272 to 28776 and students’ enrolled from 2.9 million to 3.96 million in 1st to 12th standard during 2010–16. The higher enrolment despite decline in population size eligible for enrolment from 3.56 million to 3.32 million resulted in rise in the enrolment rate for 1–5th standards from 52.0% to 75% and for 6th–8th classes from 29.8% to 44.3% during 2009–10. The share of those enrolled in fifth class alone in population eligible for enrolment increased from 10.1% to 15.1% and for eighth from 10.4 to 14.2% during the same period. But surprisingly, the share of Government schools in overall enrolment declined from 70.3% to 52.3%. The share of Government schools even declined in rural areas from 59.0% to 39.4 in total schools. The quality of infrastructure and education is not good in Government schools as the entire budget is almost exhausted in salaries. The most of private schools face difficulty in matching these salaries. The average or poor quality schools not able to charge high fees are using unfair means and compromise the quality of education. Thus, the salary structure has to be made reasonable, if India has to achieve educational goals and outcomes at least comparable to other countries that allocate similar, or even lower, share of budget to education. The quality of education should be improved at all levels of education and there is need to strengthen public sector and create more competition with the private sector.