**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1474 regarding the teacher-pupil ratio, school development under the PM-SHRI scheme, dropout rates, and digital infrastructure in government schools in the Barabanki district. The response, provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education on February 9, 2026, details the current status and measures being taken to address these issues. There are no action items or deadlines explicitly stated in the document.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Teacher-Pupil Ratio:**
* The teacher-pupil ratio in Government primary and secondary schools in Barabanki is 21 and 44, respectively, compared to the national average of 20 and 15 (UDISE+ 2024-25 data).
* The Central Government, through Samagra Shiksha, provides financial assistance to States and UTs to maintain the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) as per RTE Act, 2009 norms.
* **PM SHRI Scheme:**
* 25 PM SHRI schools have been selected in Barabanki district for development.
* **Dropout Rate Reduction:**
* "Samagra Shiksha" focuses on reducing dropout rates in rural Barabanki.
* Measures to address dropout rates include improved school infrastructure, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, free textbooks/uniforms up to Class 8, and hot cooked meals till Class 8 under PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana.
* Out-of-School Children (OoSC) are identified and admitted to age-appropriate classes with special training provided.
* Financial assistance is provided to OoSC aged 16-19 from socio-economically disadvantaged groups to complete education through open schooling.
* Remedial teaching programs are being implemented.
* 15 KGBV Type-III and 3 KGBV Type-IV schools are functioning for Classes VI to VIII, and 15 Type-III KGBVs have been upgraded up to Class XII.
* Two composite schools (Pre-Primary to Class XII) are being established under the Chief Minister Model Composite School Scheme, equipped with modern facilities.
* Infrastructure and learning facilities are being strengthened through Project Alankaar and Samagra Shiksha, including digital interventions.
* Under Project Alankaar, additional classrooms, labs, halls, libraries, boundary walls, and electrification have been completed in schools at a cost of ₹1,436.77 lakh.
* **Digital Infrastructure:**
* 792 Government Schools (Grade VI and above) in Barabanki are equipped with smart classrooms.
* All Government Schools in Barabanki have internet connectivity.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of India/Ministry of Education**
* **Impact:** Required to provide financial assistance and implement schemes (Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana) to improve education in Barabanki.
* **Action Required:** Continue funding and monitoring the implementation of these schemes.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Uttar Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing central schemes, reducing dropout rates, improving school infrastructure, and maintaining digital connectivity in Barabanki.
* **Action Required:** Implement the remedial teaching programs, the Chief Minister Model Composite School Scheme and continue strengthening through Project Alankaar.
**Stakeholder: Students in Barabanki District**
* **Impact:** Affected by the teacher-pupil ratio, availability of schools under the PM-SHRI scheme, dropout prevention measures, and digital infrastructure in schools.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available resources, participate in remedial programs, and take advantage of improved school facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Samagra Shiksha: Centrally Sponsored Scheme to provide financial assistance to States and UTs to maintain appropriate Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
PM SHRI scheme: Scheme under which schools in Barabanki district are selected for development.
Barabanki: District in Uttar Pradesh that is the subject of the questions regarding teacher-pupil ratio and school development.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Act that prescribes norms for Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) for various levels of schooling.
Project Alankaar: State initiative in Uttar Pradesh to strengthen infrastructure and learning facilities in schools.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 1474
ANSWERED ON- 09.02.2026
Teacher-Pupil Ratio in Barabanki District
1474. Shri Tanuj Punia:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of teacher-pupil ratio in Government primary and secondary schools
in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh against the national norm;
(b) the number of schools in Barabanki district selected for development under the PM-
SHRI scheme;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to address the high dropout rate at the
secondary level in the rural areas of the district; and
(d) the status of digital infrastructure like smart classrooms and internet connectivity in
Government schools in Barabanki?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) The pupil-teacher ratio in Government primary and secondary schools in Barabanki
district, Uttar Pradesh is 21 and 44 against the national average of 20 and 15 respectively
as per UDISE+ 2024-25. The Central Government through the Centrally Sponsored
Scheme of Samagra Shiksha, provides financial assistance to the States and UTs to
maintain appropriate Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) for various levels of schooling, as per
norms prescribed in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
2009, as amended from time to time.
(b) In Barabanki district of Uttar Pradedsh, 25 PM SHRI schools have been selected under
PM SHRI scheme.
(c) One of the focus areas of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Samagra Shiksha’ is to
reduce the dropout rate in the country including in rural areas of Barabanki District of
Uttar Pradesh. To address the issue of dropout rate, various activities are undertaken
including improving school infrastructure, setting up of Kasturba Gandhi Balika
Vidyalayas, setting up of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, providing
free textbook/uniform upto class 8. Similarly, under PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme, hot cooked meal is provided to all students till class 8.
Out of School Children (OoSC) are identified and admitted to age-appropriate
class for completion of their elementary education. Wherever necessary, special training isimparted for admission to age-appropriate class. Further, financial assistance is also
provided to OoSC of age group of 16-19 years, belonging to socio economically
disadvantaged groups, for completing their education through open school, for accessing
course materials and certification.
As informed by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, the following additional
measures are being taken to address dropout at the secondary level in rural areas of Barabanki
district:
i. Remedial teaching programmes are being implemented in secondary schools to
improve learning outcomes.
ii. 15 KGBV Type-III and 3 KGBV Type-IV schools are functioning for Classes VI
to VIII, and all 15 Type-III KGBVs have been upgraded up to Class XII to improve
access, retention, and continuity of education for girls.
iii. Under the Chief Minister Model Composite School Scheme two composite
schools (Pre-Primary to Class XII) are being established in the district. These schools are
equipped with earthquake-resistant buildings, smart classrooms, advanced science and
mathematics laboratories, computer labs, libraries, multipurpose halls, child-friendly
toilets, clean drinking water, and ramps. Offering education from Pre-Primary to Class
XII at one location helps reduce dropouts by ensuring continuity and quality.
iv. Infrastructure and learning facilities are being strengthened through Project
Alankaar (a State initiative) and Samagra Shiksha, including digital interventions, to
improve quality, access, and retention.
v. Under Project Alankaar, additional classrooms in 2 schools, science laboratories
in 2 schools, multipurpose halls in 6 schools, libraries in 3 schools, boundary walls in 7
schools, and electrification in 3 schools have been completed at a total cost of ₹1,436.77
lakh.
(d) As informed by State of Uttar Pradesh, total 792 Government Schools (Grade VI and
above) are equipped with smart classrooms and all Government Schools are saturated with
internet connectivity in Barabanki.
****