New Delhi: Nearly 8,000 schools across India operated with zero student enrollment during the 2024-25 academic session, yet collectively employed over 20,000 teachers. This striking mismatch comes from official data released by the Union Ministry of Education. The figures highlight a significant challenge in resource allocation within the nation's schooling system.^[1][2][3][4] ### Empty Classrooms, Employed Staff The Ministry of Education's data, drawn from its Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report, shows that 7,993 schools recorded no students for the current academic year. Despite empty classrooms, these institutions kept 20,817 teachers on their payrolls.^[1][3][5] This situation raises concerns about the effective use of public funds and teaching staff deployment. The overall number of zero-enrollment schools has decreased by over 5,000 from the previous academic year, when 12,954 schools had no students.^[1][3][4] West Bengal leads the country with the highest number of schools reporting zero enrollment. The state accounted for 3,812 such schools, employing 17,965 teachers.^[1][3][4] Telangana followed with 2,245 schools that had no students, where 1,016 teachers were still on duty.^[1][3][5] Madhya Pradesh also reported a substantial number, with 463 schools lacking students and employing 223 teachers.^[1][2][3] Uttar Pradesh had 81 such schools.^[1] ### Financial Implications and State Responses The employment of teachers in schools without students carries a considerable financial burden. One report suggests that approximately 7,769 government schools with no student enrollment cost the national treasury around ₹1,800 crore annually in teacher salaries. E^[6]ach of these schools employs an average of two to three teachers, with annual salaries ranging from ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh depending on their experience and location. The ^[6]Ministry of Education has advised state governments to address this issue. School education falls under the jurisdiction of individual states. A senior official from the Ministry of Education stated, "School education is a state subject. States have been advised to address the issue of zero enrolments in schools. Some states have merged some schools for optimum utilisation of resources such as infrastructure as well as staff." This ^[1][3][4][5]advice points towards consolidation efforts to better manage resources. Some states and Union Territories have successfully avoided this problem. Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura reported no zero-enrollment schools. Simil^[7][4][5]arly, Union Territories like Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, Chandigarh, and Delhi also had no schools with zero student registrations. Nagal^[1][4][5]and, in particular, eliminated all its zero-enrollment and single-teacher schools in the 2024-25 academic year. ### ^[8]Underlying Causes and Future Actions The presence of schools without students often stems from factors like rural migration and declining birth rates, which lead to fewer children in certain areas. As st^[6][9]udent batches graduate, new enrollments may not fill the vacant spots, leaving schools empty but with sanctioned teacher posts. To t^[10][11]ackle this, the central government is pushing for the closure or merger of these schools under reviews like the PM SHRI scheme. Offic^[6]ials are also looking into reallocating teachers from empty schools to those with student shortages, particularly single-teacher schools. The U^[6][12]ttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has announced plans to revoke recognition for affiliated schools that have recorded zero student enrollment for three consecutive academic years. Thes^[1]e efforts aim to ensure that educational resources, including infrastructure and teaching staff, are used efficiently. The goal is to improve the quality of education and access for students in areas where schools are genuinely needed.