A total of 131 schools were shut in the Maharashtra District during five years, while enrolment has fallen by 24 per cent
RATNAGIRI — At least 131 Zilla Parishad schools have permanently closed in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district over the past five years, while more than 400 others face possible closure or merger because student numbers have declined sharply.
Under the government’s new policy, schools with only one to five students may be closed and merged with nearby institutions. The prospect has raised concerns among local residents and education groups, particularly over the impact on children in rural and remote areas who may have to travel several kilometres to attend school.
According to figures from the Ratnagiri district education department, the number of Zilla Parishad schools fell from 2,494 in the 2021–22 academic year to 2,363 in 2025–26. Student enrolment declined from 73,239 to 55,597 over the same period.
This represents a reduction of 17,634 students in five years. The district also recorded a 24 per cent fall in enrolment in its Zilla Parishad schools last year.
‘Closure Would Violate the Right to Education’
Sajid Nisar, a representative of an Urdu teachers’ organisation, said the Right to Education is a fundamental human right that guarantees every child access to free, quality education without discrimination.
He warned that closing or merging around 400 schools in Ratnagiri would force children in villages and remote areas to walk several kilometres to reach the nearest school, potentially increasing the dropout rate.
He described the proposed closures as a violation of the Right to Education and said they would also undermine the state government’s traditional policy of ensuring that every village has a school.
Nisar appealed to local organisations, political parties, parents and education experts to oppose the government’s decision, arguing that schools should not be shut merely because of low enrolment.
Reasons Behind Declining Enrolment
Several factors have contributed to the fall in student numbers, according to the report. Parents increasingly prefer private and English-medium schools because they offer modern facilities, digital learning and greater opportunities for children to develop English-language skills.
The migration of families from rural parts of Ratnagiri to cities in search of livelihood has also affected enrolment in village schools. A gradual decline in the birth rate in rural areas is another factor cited.
The lack of digital education facilities and modern infrastructure in government schools has further weakened their ability to compete with private institutions, encouraging more parents to choose private education.
The possible closure of hundreds of schools has therefore raised broader questions about the future of public education and children’s access to nearby schools in Ratnagiri’s rural communities.
