Niti AayogIndiaEducationSchool Education SystemStudent Retention
Niti Aayog Report Flags Poor Student Retention, Learning Outcomes in India's School Education System
Published: May 8, 2026
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Niti Aayog has released a report highlighting significant challenges in India's school education system, including poor student retention and learning outcomes. The report, titled 'School Education System in India — Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement', notes that while India has achieved near-universal access to primary education, four out of every 10 children who enter the system drop out before completing higher secondary education.
The report attributes this 'pyramid' problem to the current education system, where the number of schools and students decreases significantly at the higher secondary level. It recommends a 'cylindrical' schooling approach, where composite schools cover Grades 1-12 under one roof, to fix the 'leaky pipeline' of student dropouts.
The report also highlights issues with access to functional electricity, water, and hygiene facilities in schools, as well as limited internet connectivity and science labs. It notes that improving learning outcomes and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are key challenges that need to be addressed in the school education system.
The report recommends operationalizing 'school complexes' to strengthen academic continuity, ensure equitable resource allocation, and enhance the efficiency of school governance. It also suggests investing in the creation of open, interoperable, and evolvable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the education sector.
The Education Ministry will likely respond to the report's recommendations, with potential next steps including the implementation of the proposed 'cylindrical' schooling approach and investments in digital infrastructure.