79,039 Government Schools Shut Down Across India; None in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Government school closures have increased across the country over recent years, but Kerala remains the only state that has not shut down a single school during the past nine and a half years. In 2017–18, India had 10,94,543 governments chools in total. By 2023, this number decreased to 10,15,504 — a decline of 79,039 schools in six years. Uttar Pradesh alone closed 27,764 schools in October last year. Madhya Pradesh closed 20,000, Jharkhand 4,600, Chhattisgarh 1,000, Andhra Pradesh 5,400, Odisha 4,589, Jammu and Kashmir 4,380, and Assam 2,149. Kerala, in contrast, recorded zero closures, a trend attributed to the state’s educational policies under the Left government.

In Kerala, government and aided schools with proper facilities are available within a travel distance of about 12 kilometres in every inhabited area, ensuring that no region is left without access to schooling. The state currently maintains 12,948 schools, with no closures during the last decade. This stability is closely linked to Kerala’s long-standing public education framework, which began with the universal education reforms initiated under the first EMS government and has been strengthened through continued policy commitment over the years.

Kerala also outperforms the national average in multiple educational indicators. The teacher–student ratio remains consistently favourable, classroom infrastructure is maintained to stronger standards, and transport arrangements are provided for tribal and remote-area students to ensure reliable access. The state has been successful in minimizing dropout rates and in guaranteeing education for all children without discrimination.

Kerala’s performance is further reflected in national evaluation metrics. The state regularly ranks at the top of the central government’s Performance Grading Index and continues to lead in comprehensive assessments of school education quality across India.