A sharp decline in Tamil Nadu's birth rate, coupled with a corresponding fall in student enrolment, has led to the temporary closure of 208 primary and middle schools this academic year, according to the Department of Elementary Education (DEE). Fresh data from the DEE reveals that 1,204 schools across the state, including the 208 state-run institutions, did not register a single new admission for the 2024-25 academic year. The list includes 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially funded schools, 869 private schools, and two Central government institutions.
Among the government-run schools, 157 fall under the School Education Department, 13 under the Adi Dravida Welfare Department, 19 under Social Welfare, and eight under Tribal Welfare. A senior DEE official stated that these closures are not permanent and that "operations will resume when enrolment picks up in the affected areas". The official noted that the trend of low admissions is evident across all types of schools and departments.
Also read: Stalin launches instant crop loan plan for Tamil Nadu farmers
Most of the affected schools are in rural or remote areas with a limited number of children of school-going age. In some cases, students who enrolled in June have since migrated with their parents to other regions. Officials say that the decline is linked to urban migration, parents opting for private English-medium schools and shifting livelihood patterns.
Population statistics highlight the scale of the demographic change. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s population projections, the state’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 1.68 during 2011-15 to 1.54 in the current period (2021-25), well below the replacement level of 2.1.
Public Health Department records show that live births decreased by 6.2 per cent year-on-year, from 9.02 lakh in 2023 to 8.46 lakh in 2024. Education authorities caution that while the current closures are temporary, a sustained decline in birth rates and enrolments may necessitate a long-term restructuring of school infrastructure, staff allocation, and educational planning in the state.
Follow us
