Revanth Reddy’s school enrolment claims contradict official data

Official data submitted to the Centre shows Telangana government schools lost over 1.25 lakh students in primary and upper primary sections during 2025-26. The figures contradict Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s claims of increased enrolment and have prompted the Centre to seek explanations

Hyderabad: Admissions in government schools reflect an alarming situation even as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made tall claims of increased enrolment, which are far from true.

Speaking at a media event recently in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said, “This year, I have increased one lakh students in my government schools.” However, the Education Department data reveals a staggering decline of 1.25 lakh students in primary and upper primary government schools alone during the academic year 2025-26.

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These alarming figures were released by the Central government in its Mid-Day Meal (PM Poshan) Scheme’s Project Approval Board report, which was recently released for the academic year 2026-27.

Enrolment in government schools at the primary level, as per the report, reduced from 9,77,864 in the academic year 2024-25 to 9,03,556 in 2025-26, a 74,308 decrease. Similarly, the number of students in the upper primary government schools dropped from 5,97,345 in 2024-25 to 5,24,124 in 2025-26, a 73,221 reduction. Overall, enrolment fell from 15,75,209 in 2024-25 to 14,49,608 in 2025-26.

This information regarding children enrolment was shared by the State Education Department with the Union Ministry of Education. Despite holding the State’s Education portfolio, Revanth Reddy’s claims on increasing admissions in government schools reflect his poor command on the department’s affairs.

Earlier, during last year’s Teachers’ Day celebrations, the Chief Minister claimed that after the people’s government assumed power, enrolment in schools increased by three lakh.

Lack of one teacher for every class, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources and absence of supervision on teachers and schools are among other key factors behind declining number of students in government and local body schools across the State.

The academics in the schools are taking a beating due to deviation from the academic calendar and additional responsibilities handed over to the teachers.

Meanwhile, the Central government approved the PM Poshan scheme for a total of 12,46,598 students in 26,147 schools. The board observed that average coverage of students under the scheme declined by 1.30 lakh students (11 per cent) in 2025-26.

The drop in average coverage was more evident in upper primary classes, with a reduction of 16 per cent of students from 2024-25 to 2025-26. The State was asked to ascertain the reasons for drop in enrolment and average coverage, and take corrective measures.