Ladakh Witnesses Decline of 82 Government Elementary Schools During 2025–26
Kargil: Ladakh recorded a decline of 82 government elementary-level schools during 2025–26, according to data submitted by the Union Ministry of Education in the Lok Sabha, raising concerns over the contraction of the government school network in the Union Territory.
The figures were shared by Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply to the Lok Sabha in response to a question regarding the closure of schools due to inadequate student enrolment.According to UDISE+ data, the number of government elementary schools in Ladakh declined by 82 during 2025–26. The development comes at a time when the Union Government is emphasising improved access, enrolment and educational infrastructure through initiatives such as Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN and PM SHRI.
The Ministry of Education clarified that education is a subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, and decisions regarding the opening, closure and rationalisation of schools fall within the jurisdiction of the respective State and Union Territory governments.At the national level, the number of government elementary schools declined from 8,89,806 in 2024–25 to 8,79,940 in 2025–26, a reduction of nearly 9,900 schools.
Among the neighbouring northern regions, Himachal Pradesh recorded a decline from 11,724 to 11,465 government elementary schools, while Haryana witnessed a marginal reduction from 10,869 to 10,862. In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir retained the same number of government elementary schools at 16,196 during the period.
The decline of 82 schools assumes particular significance in Ladakh due to its difficult terrain, scattered habitations, harsh climatic conditions and long distances between villages. In many remote areas, a government school is not merely an educational institution but the primary and often only avenue of formal education available to children within their communities.The development calls for a careful review of the reasons behind the decline and the impact of school rationalisation on children in remote and sparsely populated areas of Ladakh.
While student enrolment is an important factor in educational planning, any decision to close or merge schools must also take into account geographical accessibility, travel distances, terrain, climatic conditions and the educational needs of local communities.There is a need for the concerned authorities to ensure that rationalisation of schools does not inadvertently affect access to elementary education for children living in remote villages and far-flung areas of Ladakh.
