UDISE+ 2024–25 Report Highlights Major Gains in School Infrastructure Across India

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024-25 report published by the Ministry of Education indicates some interesting developments in school infrastructure during the academic year 2024-25. These enhancements will ensure that the learning experience of students is improved in terms of safety, inclusivity, and resource-rich settings that are closely aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.

Key Highlights of Infrastructure

• 93.6% of the schools have electricity now, which is a lifeline in the rural and remote regions. 
• 97.3% school has separate girls toilets and 96.2% boys toilets that strengthens hygiene and gender inclusivity. 
• In 95.9% of schools, handwashing facilities are provided, and this contributes to health and hygienic practices. 
• In an impressive 99.3% of schools, students have the basic health protection of access to safe drinking water. 
• There are playgrounds in 83.0% of schools, which are necessary in a child’s physical growth and well-being. 
• In 89.5% of schools, there are libraries, which encourage the culture of reading and access to knowledge. 
• However, the proportion of schools utilizing rainwater harvesting is at 29.4% only, which signifies the possibility of an increase in the environmental sustainability.  

Such improvements in infrastructure have direct and positive association with higher attendance and retention of students and improved learning outcomes, leading to a more student-centric ecosystem.

Teacher and Digital Infrastructure 

In addition to physical infrastructure, the report notes an optimistic increase in digital infrastructure 65% of schools currently have access to computers but as few as 58% of these computers currently are operational. Internet connectivity has been enhanced to 63.5 percent of schools making online resources and online classes accessible based on the learning requirements of the 21st century.

The teacher strength has surpassed 1 crore with the increase of 6.7% compared to 2022-23. Pupil teacher ratio has also improved significantly at all levels, shifting closer to the NEP 2020 ratio of 30:1 (one teacher for every 30 students), enabling individual attention and good teaching.

Local Differences and Problems 

Although so much has been accomplished, the regional inequalities still exist. The gaps that are still present in electrification are in some parts of the north and northeast, and the use of more sophisticated digital tools is not evenly distributed. The reduction in zero-enrolment and single-teacher schools is encouraging though needs constant monitoring in order to preserve equity.

Aligning with NEP 2020 Vision

These discoveries are an important milestone to achieving the vision of NEP 2020: equitable, inclusive, and quality education to all. Improved infrastructure facilitates comprehensive growth, cares about the health and safety of students, and adopts technology- the key to the education system of the future in India.