Explanation:

As per the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2021-22, the average enrolment count is 80 in the state of Himachal Pradesh which is way lower than the national average of 178.

Only Ladakh (61) and Mizoram (79) have lower enrolment per school than the state.

The enrolment per school in Himachal Pradesh, therefore, is the third lowest in the country.

According to Director, Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh the demographic and topographic features of the state are to be blamed for the low enrolment. As compared to other states, the density of population of the school-going children in the state is quite low. And that gets reflected in the low enrolment per school.

Another reason for the low enrolment per school is the mushrooming of private institutions with little infrastructural facilities. Several private schools are running from just two-three rooms. They have low enrolment, which pulls down the overall enrolment per school.

It is pertinent to note here that as per the Right to Education Act, there has to be a primary school within 1.5 km for children. As per the state government officials, therefore, many schools that have been opened to comply with this direction have meagre enrolment.

Besides, there are several schools in interior areas where we have just a couple of children. The topography is such that children can’t access a school a little further away from their homes.