Goa’s government primary schools have recorded their sharpest single-year enrolment drop to date, with student numbers falling by 1,864 for the 2026-27 academic year. Total enrolment across Classes I to IV fell from 17,027 in 2025-26 to 15,163 students, marking a dip nearly double that recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State officials attribute part of this drop to the strict implementation of the National Education Policy’s (NEP) six-year age cut-off for Class I entry, alongside Goa’s broader demographic trend of declining birth rates. However, data indicates an accelerating shift of parents opting for government-aided and private schools over state-run institutions.
Currently, government schools comprise 52.7% (780 institutions) of Goa’s total school network but account for merely 13.7% (41,217 students) of total student enrolment statewide. In contrast, government-aided schools educate 72.6% of all students. The sharp decline has left 433 government primary schools roughly 67% with fewer than 30 students, and 210 schools operating with under 15 students.
The central authorities have directed the state to conduct a comprehensive analysis and implement corrective measures to restore public confidence in state-run education.
