1 week ago
Jagan Challenges Andhra Government School Enrolment Claims
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy says fewer children are attending government schools in Andhra Pradesh.
He used education department data covering 2023-24 and 2025-26 to support his argument.
The data cited in the report shows government-school enrolment dropping by more than 5.5 lakh students.
At the same time, private-school enrolment increased.
The state government had claimed that more than 1.1 lakh students moved from private schools to government schools.
Jagan says the data does not support that claim.
He also says fewer government and aided schools are operating.
The ruling TDP had not immediately responded.
Jagan pointed to earlier reforms such as better buildings, digital learning tools and English education.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said Andhra Pradesh government-school enrolment fell from 40,50,116 to 34,93,450 between 2023-24 and 2025-26.
He said the figures contradict the state government’s claim that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private to government schools.
Private-school enrolment reportedly rose from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296 during the same period.
The number of government schools fell from 45,000 to 44,222, while government-aided schools declined from 991 to 797.
Jagan highlighted YSRCP-era education reforms, including infrastructure upgrades, digital classrooms, English instruction and planned International Baccalaureate adoption.
- Who
- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, leader of the YSR Congress Party, questioned the Andhra Pradesh government’s school-enrolment claims.
- What
- He alleged that government-school enrolment declined sharply despite the government’s claim that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private schools.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India.
- When
- The allegation was made on Sunday, using UDISE Plus data for 2023-24 and 2025-26.
- Why
- Jagan said the figures expose a worrying decline in government education and contradict the state government’s account of student movement.
Jagan and YSRCP Position
Andhra Government Position
Student movement
Jagan and YSRCP Position
Jagan said UDISE Plus figures show government-school enrolment fell by more than 5.5 lakh students and therefore contradict the claim that over 1.1 lakh students moved from private schools.
Andhra Government Position
The state government has claimed that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private schools to government schools; the report says the ruling TDP did not immediately respond to Jagan’s allegations.
Condition of government education
Jagan and YSRCP Position
Jagan said the decline in government and aided-school enrolment showed that government education was being undermined and could make quality education less accessible to families unable to afford private schools.
Andhra Government Position
The article does not provide a detailed response from the state government to these allegations.
Education policy record
Jagan and YSRCP Position
Jagan highlighted YSRCP-era reforms, including school infrastructure improvements, English-medium instruction, bilingual textbooks, digital equipment, TOEFL instruction and plans for the International Baccalaureate system.
Andhra Government Position
The article does not include the current government’s response to the earlier reforms or its explanation of the enrolment figures.
Key facts
- Government enrolment
- 40,50,116 students in 2023-24, falling to 34,93,450 in 2025-26, according to figures cited by Jagan.
- Private enrolment
- 45,53,380 students in 2023-24, rising to 48,40,296 in 2025-26.
- Government schools
- The number fell from 45,000 to 44,222 during the cited period.
- Government-aided schools
- The number declined from 991 to 797.
- Government claim
- More than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private schools to state-run schools.
- Earlier reforms
- The YSRCP government said it modernised infrastructure in 56,703 government schools, welfare hostels and junior colleges.
- Digital education
- Jagan said 62,000 interactive flat panels and 45,000 smart TVs were installed under earlier reforms.
Quotes
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
YSRCP supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister
“UDISE Plus data for 2025-26 clearly contradicts the state government's claim that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private schools to government schools, as government school enrolment has in fact declined sharply.”
deccanchronicle.com










