Jharkhand Education Reforms: Enrollment Up, Learning Outcomes Lagging - NITI Aayog Report

Ranchi: Jharkhand lags in learning outcomes and participation beyond Class 10 despite improving sharply in enrolment and dropout reduction, a recent NITI Aayog school education report has said.

While the state has succeeded in bringing children to classrooms and retaining them in schools, weak foundational learning, shortages of teachers and poor secondary transition rates pose challenges.

According to official data, Jharkhand achieved zero primary dropout in 2024-25 academic year, down from 6.41% in 2014-15. During the same period, upper primary dropout declined from 7.42% to 1.7%, while secondary dropout dipped from 23.2% to 3.5%. Yet, concerns remain over foundational learning, teacher shortages and transition rates to higher education.

To address these gaps, the state education department and Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) have rolled out multiple reforms over the last few years, ranging from CM Schools of Excellence (SoE) and digital classrooms to vocational learning, sports integration and mother tongue-based education programmes.

One of the flagship interventions has been the launch of SoEs in 2023, envisioned as model govt schools equipped with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, English-medium learning support, laboratories, sports facilities and career-oriented teaching.

Jharkhand currently has 80 SoEs functioning across districts and blocks, and the govt is now preparing for a major expansion. Rajesh Prasad, the director of secondary education, said plans are afoot to set up 100 new SoEs in the next phase.

“A proposal has already been sent to the department and recommendations are being processed. Once approvals are received, expansion work will move forward,” he said. Officials say the schools are designed not only to improve academic performance but also to reduce migration of students towards private institutions. Several of these campuses now feature science laboratories, digital learning systems, libraries and sports infrastructure at par with private schools.

At SoE Bariatu in Ranchi, students now train on a dedicated hockey ground while also participating in digital learning sessions. Ranchi district education officer Vinay Kumar said sports and co-curricular development are increasingly being integrated into govt schools. “Ranchi has around 150 secondary schools and nearly 2,000 primary schools. Physical education is now treated as a necessary subject and trained graduate teachers are available in schools. Sports kits have also been distributed, and schools are being encouraged to build sports culture alongside academics,” he said.

Another major focus area has been innovation-driven learning through Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL), which have been introduced in selected govt schools to promote scientific thinking and problem-solving skills among students. Ranchi currently has around 10 schools with ATL. These labs provide students access to robotics kits, 3D printers, electronics tools and hands-on science experiments aimed at encouraging creativity and innovation at an early stage.

Deepanshu Kumar, a class nine student at a govt school in Ranchi, said the lab experience has changed the way students look at science. “Earlier, science was limited to books and diagrams. Now we build small models and learn through experiments. Students have become more interested in technology and engineering,” she said. The state has also expanded Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives in schools through smart classrooms, digital content and computer-based teaching modules. Officials say digital learning is being particularly emphasised in secondary schools where exposure to technology often remains limited in rural areas. Simultaneously, vocational education programmes are being introduced to make learning more career oriented. Trades linked to retail, healthcare, IT, electronics and agriculture are now being taught in several govt schools to prepare students for employment opportunities after secondary education.

Education officials said such courses can reduce dropout rates among economically weaker students who often leave studies due to financial pressures. To improve foundational learning, programmes like ‘Main Bhi NIPUN, Mera Vidyalay Bhi NIPUN’ are focusing on literacy and numeracy skills in early classes. In tribal areas, the PALASH programme is being implemented through mother tongue-based multilingual education to reduce language barriers among young learners. Girl education remains another key area of intervention.

Through Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and Jharkhand Balika Aawasiya Vidyalayas, the govt aims to ensure continued education for girls from vulnerable backgrounds. Residential schooling, financial support under Savitribai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana and hygiene infrastructure are being expanded to reduce dropout risks linked to early marriage and migration. In April this year, the department also launched Maths and Science Clubs in 173 secondary schools to improve conceptual learning and student participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Teachers say the clubs are helping students engage with practical activities beyond textbook learning. “We are seeing students participate more actively during practical sessions now. The fear of mathematics and science subjects is gradually reducing because learning has become activity-based,” Prasad said.

Despite the progress, officials admit that teacher vacancies and uneven student-teacher ratios remain one of the biggest structural challenges. The state recently recruited more than 11,000 teachers for primary and middle schools, while recruitment processes for secondary and special teachers are underway. With expansion plans for SoEs, digital learning initiatives, innovation labs and vocational education gaining pace, the state is gradually transforming govt schools into centres of quality learning, skill development and future opportunities for students across urban as well as rural districts.