Parliamentary panel flags nearly 73% students drop out before finishing higher secondary

A parliamentary committee has highlighted a significant drop in the number of schools and students as education levels increase, with nearly 73% of students failing to complete higher secondary education. The Tenth Report of the Committee on Estimates (2026-27) presented to the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2026, revealed that there are significantly fewer schools at secondary and higher secondary levels compared to primary and upper primary levels.

Of the total 10,92,671 schools, only 90,866 are at the higher secondary level. The committee emphasized the urgent need for the Ministry to prioritize upgrading existing primary and secondary schools into full higher secondary schools to ensure accessibility to students from various communities. The report also pointed out the severe lack of infrastructure for students with disabilities (CwSN), with only a fraction of schools equipped with necessary facilities.

The committee urged the Ministry to focus on improving physical accessibility and providing financial support for the construction of barrier-free and differently-abled-friendly infrastructure, including ramps, handrails, and accessible toilets.