664 Government Schools Shut Down in Two Years
Recent statistics indicate worrying trends in Andhra Pradesh’s education sector since the coalition government assumed office. Between the 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic years, 664 government schools were closed across the state.
During the same period, student enrollment in government schools also witnessed a significant decline. While total enrollment stood at 8.742 million (87.42 lakh) in the 2023–24 academic year, it dropped to 8.437 million (84.37 lakh) by 2025–26. This means that nearly 300,000 (3 lakh) students have moved away from government schools over the past two years.
Private Schools Witness Steady Growth
In contrast, official figures show a steady rise in both the number of private schools and student admissions.
In 2023–24, Andhra Pradesh had 15,232 private schools, enrolling 4,553,380 (45.53 lakh) students. By 2025–26, the number of private schools increased to 15,710, while student enrollment rose to 4,840,296 (48.40 lakh).
This reflects an addition of 478 private schools and 286,916 new students in just two years.
Government’s Claims vs. Ground Reality
While the state government continues to highlight its efforts in improving the education sector, these statistics appear to present a contrasting picture.
The closure of government schools and the growing preference for private institutions have led to concerns that confidence in the public education system is weakening. Critics argue that the migration of students towards private schools points to systemic issues within government-run institutions.
Critics Highlight Policy Changes
According to critics, several policy decisions have contributed to the declining trust in government schools.
They claim that the once well-regarded Gorumudda (mid-day meal) scheme has weakened, with several incidents of alleged food poisoning reported in government schools. They also point to the discontinuation of the CBSE curriculum initiative, the TOEFL programme, and the slowdown of infrastructure development under the Nadu-Nedu school modernization project.
Additionally, although the Amma Vodi welfare scheme has been renamed as Thalliki Vandanam, critics allege that adequate financial allocations have not been made for its effective implementation.
Growing Concern Among Parents and Students
These developments have reportedly led to declining confidence among students and parents in the government education system. As a result, more families are opting for private schools despite the additional financial burden.
Observers believe these trends indicate a setback for the state’s public education sector and stress that the government should conduct a comprehensive review of the situation, address the concerns raised, and take corrective measures to strengthen government schools.
