Karnataka Ranks Second in Primary Education Enrollment

Jan. 2, 2025, 3:45 p.m.

Karnataka achieved the second-highest enrolment rate for primary education (97.4%) in India for children aged 6-10 years, according to the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey 2022-23 by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). This data, covering July 2022 to June 2023, places Karnataka just behind Tripura (97.9%). However, experts caution against relying solely on state averages, emphasising the need for district-specific data to address disparities, especially in northeastern Karnataka, said educationist Niranjanaradhya V.P.

01_Karnataka_Ranks_Second_in_Primary_Education_Enrollment

Approximately 64.4% of Karnataka's students attend government schools, 10.1% go to aided schools, and 25.2% are in private schools. Former Institute for Social and Economic Change faculty member, A.S. Seetharamu, attributes this success to Karnataka’s Mean Level of Education (MLE) of nine years, exceeding the national average of 8.4 years. Key factors include better rural road connectivity, successful enrollment drives, and government incentives like midday meals and free milk.

In rural Karnataka, 17% of boys and 13% of girls attend private schools. This gap narrows in urban areas, with 46.3% of boys and 46% of girls in private schools. Seetharamu highlighted that gender biases and migration from northeastern Karnataka to urban centers contribute to rural-urban enrolment disparities. While Karnataka shows significant progress, experts stress the importance of targeted interventions to eliminate out-of-school children, even though their numbers remain small. This calls for a focused strategy to ensure inclusive education across all regions.