Imagine walking into a school with shiny classrooms, stocked libraries – and not a single student. This isn’t a horror story. It’s reality for nearly 8,000 schools across India right now.
The Ghost School Phenomenon
Recent Ministry of Education data reveals a startling truth:
- 7,993 schools operated with zero students in 2024-25
- 20,817 teachers still report to empty classrooms
- Numbers dropped from 12,954 ghost schools last year
| State | Empty Schools | Teachers Employed |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 3,812 | 17,965 |
| Telangana | 2,245 | 1,016 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 463 | 223 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 81 | Data Not Specified |
Where Students Disappeared
West Bengal’s situation shocks most – 3,812 empty schools employ 17,965 teachers. Picture this: Five teachers waiting in each completely empty school building.
Some states show promising trends:
- Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa report zero ghost schools
- All northeastern states except Mizoram eliminated empty schools
- Delhi and all Union Territories have full classrooms
Teachers Without Students
A senior official explained: “States are merging schools to better use resources.” But mergers create new problems – children traveling farther, communities losing local schools.
Meanwhile, UP Board plans drastic action: Schools empty for three straight years will lose recognition. But what happens to teachers then?
The Other Extreme: Single-Teacher Schools
While some schools sit empty, others struggle with staff shortages:
- 1.1 lakh schools have just one teacher
- Over 33 lakh students attend these understaffed schools
- Uttar Pradesh has most students in single-teacher schools
This creates educational inequality – ghost schools with full staff vs overcrowded classrooms with one teacher handling multiple grades.
The Dyslexia Awareness Connection
As India grapples with school management issues, inclusive education gets new focus. The recent #GoRedforDyslexia campaign saw government buildings lit red to support learning differences.
Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar emphasized: “Dyslexia isn’t a limitation but a different way of learning.” The ministry’s PRASHAST 2.0 app helps identify learning disabilities early.
Rashtrapati Bhawan turns red for dyslexia awareness! A powerful visual commitment to inclusive education. 📸: PIB
Real Solutions Emerging
States are taking different approaches:
- Merging nearby schools with low enrollment
- Converting empty schools into community centers
- Reassigning teachers to overcrowded schools
- Using buildings for adult education programs
The Education Ministry confirms the situation improves yearly – ghost schools decreased by 5,000 since last year. But with 20,000 teachers still in empty classrooms, India’s education system faces a strange paradox of scarcity amid plenty.
