Over 94,000 schools shut across India in past decade: AIDSO

The All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO) has flagged the closure of over 94,000 schools across the country during the past decade, highlighting a concerning trend in India's education landscape. The organization's state president raised the issue, drawing attention to the scale at which educational institutions have been shutting down, affecting access to schooling in various regions.

The mass closure of schools raises questions about factors contributing to their non-viability, ranging from declining enrollment and inadequate infrastructure to resource constraints and migration patterns in rural areas. These closures have implications for students' educational access, particularly in underserved communities that may struggle to find alternative educational facilities.

The AIDSO's statement underscores the need for focused policy interventions to address the underlying causes of school closures and to ensure that educational infrastructure is strengthened rather than diminished. Education experts and policymakers have long warned that shrinking school networks can exacerbate educational disparities, particularly affecting disadvantaged populations.

This development comes as India continues to grapple with broader challenges in its education sector, including quality of learning outcomes, infrastructure gaps, and equitable access across diverse socioeconomic strata. Addressing the trend of school closures will require coordinated efforts between state and central authorities to identify struggling institutions and implement supportive measures.