A NITI Aayog report titled “School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement” reveals that over 1.19 lakh schools in India still operate without electricity, while 98,592 schools lack functional girls’ toilets and around 61,540 have no usable toilets at all.
Additionally, more than one lakh schools are managed by just a single teacher, with states like Bihar and Jharkhand reporting severe shortages and poor student-teacher ratios. Officials say that while access to schooling has improved significantly, infrastructure and learning quality remain major challenges needing urgent policy attention.
Electricity And Sanitation Gaps Persist In Schools
According to the report, despite gradual improvements in school electrification over the years, around 1.19 lakh schools across India still function without a reliable electricity connection. This continues to affect classroom teaching, digital learning, and administrative efficiency, especially in rural and remote areas.
The sanitation situation is equally concerning. The report highlights that 98,592 schools do not have functional toilets for girls, while 61,540 schools lack any usable toilet facility. Experts have repeatedly warned that inadequate sanitation facilities directly impact girls’ attendance and increase dropout risks during adolescence. A recent analysis of the report noted that gaps in sanitation infrastructure persist, affecting attendance and retention among schoolchildren, especially girls in government schools.
Teacher Shortages And Learning Gaps Deepen the crisis
Beyond infrastructure, the report flags a severe shortage of teachers across the country. Over one lakh schools are reportedly being run by a single teacher, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach regions. This leaves little scope for personalised attention or quality instruction in classrooms.
The situation is especially critical in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, where pupil–teacher ratios in some government schools rise as high as 47:1, far above the recommended standards. The report also notes large-scale vacancies in several states, further straining the already overburdened system. As per the findings, teacher distribution imbalance continues to weaken learning outcomes, with many schools struggling to even meet basic academic needs due to lack of staff and resources.
Progress Exists, But Inequalities Remain Stark
The report also acknowledges that India’s school system has expanded significantly, now serving over 24 crore students across more than 14 lakh schools. Access to infrastructure such as toilets, electricity and digital tools has improved in recent years, according to government data sources like UDISE+.
However, it stresses that progress is uneven. While some states have upgraded infrastructure and reduced dropout rates, others continue to struggle with basic facilities and teacher shortages. The think tank has emphasised the need for targeted interventions, better monitoring and stronger implementation of existing schemes to bridge these gaps.
Officials associated with the report have described it as a “policy roadmap” aimed at improving equity, infrastructure, and learning outcomes across states and Union Territories, signalling a shift from access-focused reforms to quality-driven education reforms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The findings are a reminder that access to education alone is not enough if schools lack the basic dignity of electricity, sanitation and adequate teachers. In 2026, it is deeply concerning that thousands of children still study in environments without safe toilets or proper classrooms, while teachers are stretched beyond capacity.
Education is not merely a policy target, it is a fundamental right that must guarantee dignity, safety and equal opportunity. Strengthening infrastructure and addressing teacher shortages must be treated as urgent national priorities, not long-term aspirations. At the heart of this issue lies a simple question: if we cannot ensure basic dignity inside classrooms, how can we expect meaningful learning outcomes outside them?
Also Read: Maharashtra SSC 2026: Over 94,000+ Students Fail Marathi Language Paper
Over 1 Lakh Schools Lack Power, 98,500 Without Girls' Toilet: Niti Aayog Reporthttps://t.co/c68JoRXfl5 pic.twitter.com/lm52TX15x2
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 8, 2026
