Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar has raised alarms over the closure of nearly one lakh public schools across India following the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.

  • Nearly 100,000 public schools have reportedly closed since the NEP 2020 rollout.
  • Concerns raised regarding the rapid expansion of private capital in education and health sectors.
  • NITI Aayog data indicates unemployment among secondary graduates ranges between 29% and 40%.
  • Call for increased government liability in providing essential health and education services.

In a startling revelation, the former Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar, stated on Saturday that nearly one lakh public schools across the country have shut down since the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Speaking at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Chennai, Mr. Sarkar highlighted a disturbing trend where public educational institutions are disappearing while private entities are rapidly expanding.

While accepting the prestigious Era Sezhiyan Award, Mr. Sarkar emphasized that this shift is creating a massive barrier for students from lower economic strata. He argued that as public schools close, the lack of affordable options leaves the underprivileged with no path to upward mobility. He drew a parallel with the healthcare sector, noting that while public investment in health is shrinking, private capital is mushrooming.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the erosion of public infrastructure in essential sectors like education and health risks creating a systemic divide. When the state retreats from its core responsibilities, the socio-economic gap between the wealthy and the marginalized inevitably widens.

"The betterment of health and education are mutually dependent; health services are core services the government must take full liability for."

The former Chief Minister also addressed the critical issue of unemployment, citing a NITI Aayog report from 2025. He noted that the unemployment rate among graduates stands at 13%, but more alarmingly, for youth who have completed secondary education, the rate fluctuates between 29% and 40%. He questioned the nation's trajectory if such a massive, educated workforce remains unutilized.

Adding to the discussion, G. Viswanathan, Founder and Chancellor of VIT, highlighted the economic impact of education. He shared how VIT has supported approximately 1,200 rural students through free education and placements, significantly boosting their per capita income. He urged both State and Union governments to increase spending on education to ensure that higher learning remains accessible to the middle class and the poor.

Did You Know?: Education is a primary driver of per capita income; increasing access to higher education directly correlates with regional economic growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main criticism of NEP 2020 mentioned by Manik Sarkar?
The main criticism is that the policy's rollout has coincided with the closure of nearly one lakh public schools, favoring private capital over public service.

2. What are the unemployment statistics for secondary graduates in India?
According to NITI Aayog data cited in the speech, the unemployment rate for youth with secondary education is between 29% and 40%.