Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools have witnessed a significant drop in student enrollment over the past decade, resulting in several closures and the underutilization of resources. The issue, which has also been raised in the Maharashtra Assembly, highlights the ongoing challenges in public education and is expected to be a crucial topic in the upcoming municipal elections.
Although no official study has been conducted to determine the exact reasons behind the decline, the increasing preference for English medium schools and the poor condition of Marathi medium school buildings are widely believed to be key factors. Yearly enrollment figures from municipal schools paint a grim picture of the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
According to media report, Between 2005-06 and 2014-15, student enrollment in NMC primary schools saw a drastic decline of nearly 60%, dropping from 45,551 to 18,311. Marathi-medium schools were the worst affected, with student numbers plunging from 19,544 to just 4,869.
There was a brief rise in primary school enrollment to 8,209 students in 2019-20, but the numbers soon fell again. By 2023-24, enrollment had dropped by 4.63%. Secondary schools have also been on a downward trend, with a 10.5% decline in 2020-21, followed by continued decreases in the following years.
The decline in student enrollment has led to several school closures. Between 2009 and 2019, 57 primary schools shut down, followed by 41 more from 2019 to 2024. The number of NMC-run schools fell from 179 in 2012 to 136 by 2016, with closures still ongoing.
The shrinking student base has led to a reduction in teaching staff. In primary schools, the number of teachers dropped from 856 in 2019-20 to 495 in 2023-24, and in secondary schools, from 273 to 151.
To tackle some of these challenges, the NMC has proposed a 1.02 crore infrastructure upgrade for the Late Gopalrao Ramji Motghare English Medium School in Khadan. Known for its stable enrollment and focus on English education, the upgrade aims to improve facilities and attract more students. However, critics argue that such isolated efforts may not address the broader issues facing municipal schools.
Politicians have raised concerns about outdated infrastructure, lack of digital learning tools, and inadequate teacher training in NMC schools. They stressed the need for urgent reforms to make municipal schools competitive with private institutions. As Nagpur approaches municipal elections, the state of NMC schools is expected to be a major issue. The future of public education in the city depends on long-term solutions to address enrollment decline, improve infrastructure, and provide quality education to underprivileged children. While the Motghare School project offers hope, broader reforms are essential to reviving Nagpur’s municipal education system.
The teacher workforce in NMC schools has seen a significant reduction. In primary schools, the number of teachers dropped from 856 in 2019-20 to 495 in 2023-24, a decrease of 365. In secondary schools, the number of teachers fell from 273 to 151, a reduction of 122.
Adhoc teachers now handle the majority of teaching assignments and outnumber permanent teachers. They are expected to teach any subject and any class, regardless of their qualifications.