Bengaluru: The number of zero-enrolment schools in Karnataka — no students at all in several classes — has dropped from 270 last year to 104 this year, registering a fall of 61%. This tracks the national trend where the number of zero-enrolment schools has similarly dropped.The number of teachers in these schools in Karnataka also dropped from 308 to 66.The numbers were released on Tuesday as part of the Unified District Information System for Education 2025-26. Nationally, single-teacher schools have reduced by around 3% in the reporting year (2025-26) in comparison with the previous year. Similarly, the number of schools having zero enrolment witnessed a decline of around 29%.An official from the department of school education added a caveat that numbers must be studied as they include private schools as well.While the number of govt schools has come down from 48,844 to 48,527, the number of unaided schools increased by 246 to 19,351. The number of aided schools went down by 207. The overall number of schools came down to 74,578, a drop of 281.The enrolment in schools has also reduced by over 66,000. The reduction is attributed by experts to the falling birth rate. The gross enrolment ratio at higher secondary level went up to 64 from 61 in the previous year. While there was a drop from 105 to 103 at primary level, there were no changes in classes 6-10.The number of schools with computers went up to 43,281 from 41,662. Similarly, those with internet connections increased to 38,584, up by 645. “The significant improvement highlights a growing focus on strengthening digital infrastructure, enabling better access to online resources, digital content, and technology-enabled teaching methods,” the report said.Similarly, in line with the national trend, Karnataka saw an increase in teachers. The number of teachers is 4,64,814, up from 4,52,602. However, the increase is in the private sector, while there is a dip in aided and govt schools. The pupil-teacher ratio is 25; it was 26 last year.
