Edu dept issues show-cause notice to 175 schools over low enrolment

Jaipur: The education department has sent a show-cause notice to 175 govt schools over low enrolment numbers.

The department started the academic session on April 1 this year as part of an ambitious plan to increase enrolment in govt schools.

As per records on its portal, the department has identified schools where a significant decline in student numbers was recorded as of May 10, compared to the 2025-26 academic year.

An official order issued Monday by director of secondary education Sitaram Jat states, “It is a matter of deep regret that, despite the instructions issued periodically by the department, your school’s participation in this flagship programme remains extremely minimal and falls short of departmental expectations.”

In the first phase of the enrolment drive conducted across the state, more than 5.5 lakh new students have enrolled in govt schools, as per official records. This figure includes 269,526 boys and 284,530 girls.

“Based on the ‘Shala Darpan’ report, it is observed that during the Praveshotsav campaign, you have failed to demonstrate progress towards the enrolment targets; instead, a decline in total enrolment has been recorded compared to the previous year. This reflects an attitude of apathy regarding the Praveshotsav initiative and serves as an indication of the negligence exercised by you,” adds the order.

The department has also asked the school administrations to explain why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against the staff under the provisions of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958, “for your act of defying the orders issued by higher authorities.”

In the last week of March, the state education department launched an enrolment drive, ‘Praveshotsav’, where, through door-to-door surveys, officials were instructed to identify children eligible for school and enrol them. Under this initiative, the department aimed to enrol all children aged 3-18 years in schools and, simultaneously, ensure their 100% retention.