Government schools in Sikkim serve as a lifeline for many families, particularly those from marginalized groups in rural areas where quality education options are limited. Despite the growing presence of private schools, government institutions remain the primary providers of education for a large segment of the population.
Concerns Raised During Key Meeting
On February 16, 2024, officials from the Education Department of Sikkim met with the Project Approval Board (PAB) of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to review the state’s Annual Work Plan and Budget for 2024-25. A major issue raised during the meeting was the condition of government schools in the state. The meeting highlighted that around 39 schools in Sikkim operate with only a single teacher, 36 school buildings are in a dilapidated state, 51 schools lack boys’ toilets, and 53 schools do not have girls’ toilets.
Compounding these problems, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has a vacancy rate of 19.23%, and the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) face a staggering 34.09% vacancy rate. The SCERT is the educational division of the state’s education department, tasked with supporting schools through curriculum development, textbook preparation, and research initiatives. DIETs, on the other hand, are district-level institutions established to provide academic and professional support to educators, with a focus on achieving universal primary education.
During deliberations on education department's financial capabilities, the PAB observed that the state failed to utilize Rs. 88.15 crore in grants allocated for the 2023-24 fiscal year. These funds were intended to enhance school infrastructure, improve elementary and secondary education, and support teacher training programs. The meeting also observed a significant shortage of teachers, particularly at the elementary level.
Amid these pressing issues, the decision of the government to close over 11% of its schools, citing the low total fertility rate as the sole cause of low enrollment in government, schools has sparked widespread debate.
The Scope of the Problem
The UDISE portal, maintained by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, provides school data for all states. However, the data for Sikkim has only been updated up to 2021-22. According to the portal, Sikkim has 1259 schools, 13,613 teachers, and 1,35,963 students. Of these schools, 864 are government-run, employing 72 per cent of the teachers and educating 62 per cent of the students. Out of 135,963 students, 70 percent are at the primary level, highlighting the crucial role of government schools, especially in rural Sikkim, to empower the next generation with the gift of education.
Type | No of Schools | Teachers | Students | |||
Absolute | % | Absolute | % | Absolute | % | |
Government | 864 | 69 | 9846 | 72 | 84411 | 62 |
Private | 376 | 30 | 3523 | 26 | 47581 | 35 |
Aided | 19 | 2 | 244 | 2 | 3971 | 3 |
Total | 1259 | 100 | 13613 | 100 | 135963 | 100 |
Source: UDISE+ Dashboard
The Decision to Close Schools
The state government has announced plans to close 97 schools, 78 primary schools, 12 junior schools, and 7 senior secondary schools. Notably, primary schools, which serve approximately 95,000 students, have been disproportionately targeted.
As the names of the schools to be closed are yet to be released, it remains to be seen whether any urban schools are included in the list. The government cites low enrollment as the primary reason for these closures. However, it is unclear whether any attempts were made to understand the underlying causes of low enrollment. The argument that the low total fertility rate (TFR) is the sole reason for low school enrollment is not convincing. For instance, neighbouring West Bengal, with relatively higher fertility rates, has also faced low enrollment in schools, leading to school closures. This suggests that there is a need to carry out a thorough and comprehensive investigation on the underlying reasons before making a decision that affects the lives of thousands.
The Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Basnett, has assured the public that displaced students would be relocated to nearby schools and provided with transportation or hostel facilities to ease the consolidation. With an average of just 30 students per school, this decision could potentially displace around 3,000 students across the 97 schools proposed for closure. The recurring costs associated with the promises made for the displaced students could be substantial, and it is not clear how long the government plans to maintain this financial support. Moreover, this approach does not address the needs of future students in these communities, who may have no local schools to attend. The government's aim to save money from the exchequer through merger of schools is highly unlikely. A staggering 90% of the expenditure in government schools is devoted to salaries, and layoffs are not on the table. Most government schools in Sikkim were built on donated land, raising concerns about whether these properties can be repurposed if schools are closed.
The Rise of Private Schools
It is surprising that a small state like Sikkim has 395 private schools enrolling over 50,000 students. This figure is striking, considering that countries like Finland, with some of the best education system globally, rely entirely on government schools. In such countries, teachers are well respected and adequately compensated. With 50,000 students enrolled in private schools in Sikkim, the argument that low enrollment in government schools is solely due to a low TFR does not hold up. In Sikkim, despite substantial infrastructure, relatively well-paid teachers, and mid-day meal programs, government schools continue to face low enrollment. The success of private schools suggests they are filling gaps in quality and performance. However, this trend could deepen inequality, as many families cannot afford private education.
A Call for a Thoughtful Approach
Closing schools should be a last resort. The government must first conduct a thorough study to understand the causes of declining enrollment and explore all alternatives. Hasty decisions could disrupt the lives of thousands of students, especially in rural areas, where government schools often the only option. Without careful planning, closures could increase dropout rates, limited access to education, and further isolate rural communities. Improving the quality of education in government schools, instead of closing them, is essential to giving every child in Sikkim a chance to succeed.
