Jagan alleges sharp decline in A.P. government school enrolment

YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed alarm over a significant drop in enrolment in government schools in Andhra Pradesh, as per UDISE+ data released on Sunday. According to Mr. Jagan, the number of students in government schools declined from 40,50,116 in 2023-24 to 34,93,450 in 2025-26, a decrease of 5,56,666.

He questioned the State government's claim that over 1.10 lakh students had transferred from private to government schools, stating that the enrolment in public education system should have risen if such a transfer happened. Mr. Jagan also noted a decline in the number of government and government-aided schools, which reduced from 44,222 to 34,222 and 991 to 797, respectively.

In contrast, enrollment in privately managed schools increased from 45,53,380 in 2023-24 to 48,40,296 in 2025-26. The YSRCP leader alleged that the government's figures did not align with the claim of increased private school admissions. He attributed this decline to the weakening of the public education system under the current TDP-led coalition government, which he claims has reversed the progress made during the YSRCP regime.

Mr. Jagan highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the YSRCP government, such as the Mana Badi–Nadu Nedu programme, which focused on infrastructure development in 56,703 government schools, welfare hostels, and junior colleges. He also mentioned digital learning initiatives, English-medium education, bilingual textbooks, and the proposed International Baccalaureate system.

Mr. Jagan raised concerns about the current direction of public education policy and urged the government to explain the decrease in government school enrolment alongside the rise in private school admissions.