Maharashtra has more than 1.04 lakh primary schools with an enrolment of around 1.45 crore students, while secondary and higher secondary schools number 29,641 with a combined enrolment of about 63.6 lakh students, according to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2025-26 tabled in the state legislature on Thursday, reported news agency PTI.
The survey provides a comprehensive overview of the state’s education infrastructure, welfare schemes, and social indicators, highlighting gradual changes in school numbers, enrolment patterns and welfare programmes across Maharashtra.
Slight rise in number of primary schools
According to the report, the number of schools providing primary and upper primary education in the state has marginally increased over the past year.
The total number of such schools rose from 1,04,499 in 2023–24 to 1,04,526 in 2024–25. However, the proportion of schools located in rural areas registered a slight decline during the same period, reported PTI.
The survey noted that the share of rural schools dropped marginally from 75.2 per cent in 2023–24 to 75.1 per cent in 2024–25.
Similarly, the availability of primary schools per thousand children in the relevant age group showed a small decline, falling from 10.1 schools per thousand children in 2023–24 to 10 in 2024–25.
Girls’ enrolment and teacher-student ratio improve slightly
The report indicated that gender representation in school enrolment remained largely stable, with a slight improvement in the share of girls.
The percentage of girls enrolled in schools increased marginally from 47.7 per cent in 2023–24 to 47.8 per cent in 2024–25.
Another positive indicator highlighted in the survey is the improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio. The ratio, which stood at 31.1 students per teacher in 2023–24, has improved to 30:1 in 2024–25.
Education experts consider the pupil-teacher ratio an important metric in assessing classroom learning conditions and the quality of teaching.
Over 1.1 lakh anganwadis provide child welfare services
The survey also highlighted the implementation of child welfare and nutrition programmes in the state.
One of the key initiatives is the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which operates through 1,10,664 anganwadi centres across 553 child development projects in Maharashtra, reported PTI.
These centres provide essential services including supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-ups, referral services and pre-school education for children below the age of six.
The programme also supports pregnant and lactating women by offering nutritional assistance and health monitoring services.
Child budget share increases in state finances
The Economic Survey noted that the share of funds allocated for child-related programmes has increased in the state budget.
According to the report, the child budget’s share in the total state budget rose from 12.9 per cent in 2024–25 (revised estimates) to 13.3 per cent in 2025–26 (budget estimates), reported PTI.
This increase reflects the government’s focus on improving outcomes in areas such as education, nutrition, healthcare and child protection.
Mechanisms strengthened for women’s safety
The report also reviewed measures aimed at improving women’s safety and welfare in the state.
These include the establishment of fast-track courts, dedicated “Bharosa” cells for victims of crime, and more than 1.19 lakh complaint redressal committees across government and private institutions to address workplace harassment and other issues affecting women, reported PTI.
Despite these measures, the survey recorded a rise in reported crimes against women in the state.
Crimes against women show an increase
According to the data cited in the survey, a total of 50,350 crimes against women were reported in Maharashtra in 2025.
This marks an increase compared to 46,320 cases reported in 2024 and 47,029 cases recorded in 2023.
The survey emphasised that continued efforts are necessary to strengthen safety mechanisms, legal systems and social support networks for women.
Overall, the report stated that the Maharashtra government continues to implement a range of social welfare and development programmes aimed at improving health, education, nutrition and social security outcomes across the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
