Despite the Covid challenges, enrolment of children in 6-14 age group in the government schools in Bihar has increased by 3.6% in the last one year, according to the 16th edition ofAnnual Status of Education Reportreleased.
The number of children enrolled in government schools increased from 76.9% in 2020 to 80.5% in 2021, compared to 2.8% rise in the last three years since 2018. The report also revealed that more children from the rural background took admission in the government schools, compared to private schools, between 2018 and 2021.
The report was based on a survey conducted in the rural areas of 581 districts across 25 states and 3 union territories between September and October this year. It covered 76,706 households, 75,234 children in 5-16 age group besides teachers and staff of 7,300 government schools.
Significantly, the proportion of both boys and girls enrolled in government schools across all grades increased from 2020 to 2021. The Percentage of girls enrolled went up from 80.9% in 2020 to 82.9% in 2021 while the boys enrolment increased from 73.2% in 2020 to 78.2% this year.
As per the report, the availability of smartphones to the enrolled kids also increased from 27.2% in 2018 to 54.4% in 2021. However, only 11.8% kids have access to studies all the time while 34.4% used the device for limited periods for education purpose. A large section of almost 53.8% enrolled kids still have no electronic devices for studies.