Access to Secondary Education in India

India has the world’s largest youth population, with over 250 million children aged 12-18. While primary
education has expanded significantly under the Right to Education Act, secondary education remains a major
challenge. As of 2023 ASER Report, approximately 13.2% of children aged 14 to 18 in India are not enrolled in
educational institutions. This translates to an estimated 3.55 Crore youths out of school. Rural, economically
disadvantaged, and tribal areas face significant barriers in accessing education beyond the 8th grade, limiting
opportunities for millions of young people and impeding their chances to break the cycle of poverty.

Education Structure in India

1. 10+2 System (Grade 1 to Grade 12): Many states follow the 10+2 system, which includes primary,
upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary education. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have well-
established 10+2 systems, providing education up to Grade 12.
2. Variation Across States:
o Primary Education: States like Assam, Goa, and Gujarat offer primary education up to Grade
4, while others like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab extend it to Grade 5. Most states peg the
primary at Grade 5.
o Upper Primary Education: The upper primary stage may vary, with some states covering
Grades 5-7 and others covering Grades 6-8.
o Secondary and Higher Secondary Education: Secondary education typically includes Grades
8-10 or 9-10, with higher secondary covering Grades 11-12.

Barriers to Providing Education Beyond Grade 8

1. Resource Constraints:
o Funding Limitations: Budget constraints limit the expansion of secondary education. More
spending is needed on infrastructure, teacher salaries, and educational materials.
o Infrastructure Challenges: Many areas, particularly rural ones, lack the necessary
infrastructure for secondary education, such as classrooms, libraries, and laboratories.
2. Geographical and Demographic Barriers:
o Rural and Remote Areas: Secondary schools may be located far from students' homes,
making access difficult due to transportation costs and long travel times.
o Population Pressure: India’s vast population strains existing educational infrastructure,
making it difficult to provide quality education beyond the 8th grade.
3. Quality of Education at Secondary Level:
o Teacher Shortages: There is a shortage of qualified teachers, especially in remote regions,
and many teachers are not adequately trained to teach secondary-level subjects.
o Outdated Curriculum: Secondary education curricula in many regions are outdated and fail to
align with the needs of the economy or prepare students for the workforce or higher
education.
4. Socio-Economic Factors:
o Economic Constraints: For many families in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, the
cost of continuing education beyond Grade 8 is prohibitive, covering expenses like uniforms,
school supplies, and transportation.
o Child Labour: In certain regions, children are forced to work to contribute to family income,
often dropping out of school after Grade 8.
5. Gender Inequality:
o Cultural Norms: In some conservative or rural areas, girls face cultural biases that prevent
them from continuing their education beyond the primary level, often due to early marriage.
o Safety Concerns: In remote or conflict-prone areas, concerns about the safety of girls
o traveling to school may discourage families from sending girls to secondary schools.
 6. State-Specific Policies and Priorities:
o Uneven Focus Across States: Education is a state subject, so policies vary. Some states
prioritize primary education and vocational training, while others focus less on secondary
education due to resource constraints.
o Lack of Comprehensive Plans: Some states focus on immediate issues like primary education
rather than expanding secondary education, leading to disparities in access.
7. Dropout Rates and Lack of Awareness:
o High Dropout Rates: Dropout rates are highest at the secondary level due to poverty, family
pressures, and lack of academic interest. Many children leave school before completing
Grade 10.
o Lack of Awareness: Many rural parents are unaware of the importance of secondary
education, making it difficult to keep children enrolled past Grade 8.
8. Cultural and Social Norms:
o Traditional Views: In some areas, early marriage and family work traditions are prioritized
over education, leading to the perception that secondary education is unnecessary.
o Rural-Urban Divide: Urban areas typically have better access to secondary education, while
rural areas struggle with social norms and economic challenges that limit educational
opportunities.
9. Political and Administrative Factors:
o Lack of Political Will: In regions facing competing issues such as healthcare and
infrastructure, education beyond Grade 8 may not be prioritized.
o Implementation Gaps: Even where policies for secondary education exist, poor management,
lack of accountability, and inefficient use of funds can hinder effective implementation.

Research from the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) shows that access to free, quality secondary education is
crucial for reducing dropout rates in rural areas. ASER and Kusuma Trust report also highlights that secondary
education is primarily offered by private institutions, with few government schools providing secondary grades
which significantly impacts disadvantaged students. This is further supported by UDISE+ 2021-22 data which
reveals that dropout rates are highest at the secondary level (12.6%), followed by the upper primary level (3%)
and primary level (1.5%).

The mandate comprises of two primary objectives:

 Propose innovative, practical, and implementable policy recommendation for State Government
including technology interventions, community engagement models, and infrastructural
improvements to improve formal access to quality secondary education
 Propose innovative, practical, and implementable recommendations for the Local Governments on
making quality secondary education more inclusive, equitable, and accessible:
o In rural and economically disadvantaged areas
o In municipal corporations which do not provide Education above Primary grader or upper
primary grades