Why have over 3.2 lakh Class 9 students failed in Delhi govt schools in the last 5 years?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a striking revelation, over 3.2 lakh students have failed Class 9 in Delhi's government schools in just five years. MP Swati Maliwal raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the current education policies and their impact on dropout rates. This ongoing crisis demands urgent attention from policymakers.
Key Takeaways
- Over 3.20 lakh students failed Class 9 in Delhi government schools.
- Yearly statistics show a significant increase in failures.
- NIOS serves as an alternative for failed students.
- The issue raises critical questions about educational accountability.
- Addressing these failures is essential for the future of education in Delhi.
New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) In the Rajya Sabha, MP Swati Maliwal highlighted serious issues within Delhi's education sector, specifically focusing on the distressing number of Class 9 students who have failed in government schools.
Referencing data from the Ministry of Education, Maliwal expressed skepticism regarding the Delhi government’s approach of redirecting failing students to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), which she believes may be exacerbating dropout rates and misleadingly enhancing school performance metrics.
In a written response, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary confirmed that over 3.20 lakh students have failed in Class 9 across Delhi’s government schools in the last five years.
A breakdown of the data reveals a concerning trend: 31,541 students failed in 2020–21, 28,548 in 2021–22, a significant spike to 88,421 in 2022–23, peaking at 1,01,344 in 2023–24, before slightly decreasing to 70,296 in 2024–25. This brings the total to 3,20,150 students.
During the same period, more than 71,000 students were enrolled in NIOS, with the distribution being 11,322 in 2020–21, 10,598 in 2021–22, 29,436 in 2022–23, 7,794 in 2023–24, and 11,974 in 2024–25.
Maliwal contended that this method, while intended to provide a second chance for students, risks pushing many out of the traditional education framework and raises significant accountability concerns.
In response to her remarks, Chaudhary asserted that education is a concurrent subject managed predominantly by states and Union Territories. He defended NIOS, stating that one of its primary goals is to prevent repeated failures from resulting in permanent dropouts.
According to him, students passing Class 10 via NIOS are often reintegrated into formal education, thus continuing their academic journey. Nonetheless, Maliwal's pressing inquiries—regarding the potential misuse of this policy to enhance school results and the measures being taken to address these issues—reflect a broader call for systemic reforms.
The statistics illustrate not only a crisis in data but also a significant human issue, with countless young learners facing challenges at a pivotal point in their education.
As these figures rise, the challenge for policymakers is to strike a balance between providing remedial options and ensuring accountability, thus safeguarding the educational prospects of Delhi's students.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the systemic challenges within Delhi's education framework. The staggering number of Class 9 failures raises significant questions about the quality of education and accountability measures in place. Policymakers must address these issues to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
NationPress
13/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total number of Class 9 students who have failed in Delhi government schools?
Over 3.20 lakh students have failed Class 9 in Delhi government schools over the past five years.
What alternative does the Delhi government provide for failed students?
Failed students are redirected to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) as an alternative.
What are the yearly failure statistics for Class 9 students?
Yearly failure figures include 31,541 in 2020–21, 28,548 in 2021–22, 88,421 in 2022–23, 1,01,344 in 2023–24, and 70,296 in 2024–25.
How many students were admitted to NIOS during this period?
More than 71,000 students were admitted to NIOS from 2020 to 2025.
What is the impact of these failures on the education system?
The high failure rate raises concerns about the quality of education and the effectiveness of current policies, potentially leading to increased dropout rates.
