This year, the Gujarat government focused on bringing back 6.4 lakh students who had dropped out last year. At the end of its three-day campaign, 50,000 remained out of school. (Image generated using AI)Gujarat is in the ‘red zone’ of an education ministry report that has flagged the state for recording an above 15 per cent dropout rate in secondary schools, which means that more than 15 of every 100 students drop out by the time they reach secondary school in the state.The latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025‑26 data also show that enrolment in state secondary and higher secondary schools is far below the national average, despite the government running Shala Praveshotsav, a dedicated school enrolment programme for more than two decades.UDISE+, the central education management information system that enables schools to record and submit data in real-time mode, also reveals a lower age-specific enrolment rate (ASER) in Gujarat.According to the 2025-26 report, the net enrolment rate for higher secondary schools in Gujarat is 29.1—this means that only about 29 out of every 100 children who should be in Classes 11 and 12 are actually enrolled. The net enrolment rate for girls in the same section is 29.6 per cent, lower than the national average of 41.1 per cent.Explained | Cap on private school fees hike, refund for ‘extra’ fees: What’s in Punjab’s new ordinance?UDISE figures show Gujarat’s higher secondary school enrolment has dropped from over 40 per cent in 2022-23 to 34.7 per cent in 2023-24 and to just 24 per cent in 2024-25—well below the national average of 35.8 per cent—before improving to 29 per cent in 2025-26.The ASER figures show that only about 31 out of every 100 children in Gujarat who should be in secondary or higher secondary school are actually enrolled, both far worse than the national averages of 51.3 per cent and 52.5 per cent, respectively.ASER figures also show that enrolment in secondary schools was 49.5 per cent in 2022-23. This dropped to 45.7 per cent in 2023-34, and then drastically to 26.1 per cent in 2024-25 till it subsequently improved.Story continues below this adAn education official closely associated with the enrolment data told The Indian Express that the reasons for dropping out range from students changing schools to early marriage. “Other reasons might be area or district specific, like in rural or tribal areas where boys drop out of school to financially support the family, or social restrictions on girls travelling to other villages or towns for higher education. In many cases, it has also been noticed that students drop out of schools in secondary classes after they fail to clear their exams,” the official added.Also Read | Bihar CM Choudhary to private schools: Declare your fee structure, allow students to buy uniform and books from anywhereBetter enrolment in primary schoolIn primary schools, Gujarat has done better with a zero dropout rate. However, records show 17.6 per cent of boys dropped out of secondary school (Classes 9 and 10) in the state, far higher than the national average of 10.9 per cent. The rate among girls is 13.3 per cent, against the national average of 8 per cent.The overall dropout rate of 15.7 per cent against the national average of 9.5 per cent indicates that while Gujarat has succeeded in getting children into primary school, it is struggling to keep them in classrooms once they reach secondary school.A positive sign: Drop in ‘zero-enrolment’ schoolsThe one silver lining was that out of 53,425 schools in Gujarat, the number of schools with zero enrolments marginally dropped from 63 in 2024-25 to 58 in 2025-26. The number of teachers in such schools dropped from 78 to 74 in the same period.Story continues below this adAnticipating the UDISE results, during the annual school enrolment programmes in June, the state government was focused on bringing back 6.4 lakh students who had dropped out the previous year. At the end of the three-day campaign, 50,000 remained out of school.Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh. Expertise Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes: Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City. Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP. Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... 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