Uttarakhand's 'single-student' schools: How teachers and villagers are keeping education alive

Families are moving to cities like Dehradun and Delhi in search of better job opportunities, leaving behind villages with fewer children.

Uttarakhand currently has 146 single-student schools, reports, Indian Express quoting official data. 131 of these schools are government-run.

Additionally, 1,379 government schools in the state have an average of just three students.

For Ansika, the absence of classmates does not deter her learning. Headmaster Bijalwan teaches her English, Hindi, and Mathematics, ensuring she gets personal attention.

“She is a bright student,” the headmaster says, adding that her education is a priority despite the school’s dwindling numbers.

Running a school for just one child comes with challenges. The government provides funds for textbooks, furniture, and mid-day meals, but these budgets are designed for schools with multiple students. Ansika receives Rs 318 for shoes and a bag, Rs 600 for uniforms, and Rs 6.97 daily for her mid-day meal.

While this system works in schools with 20 or more students, in single-student schools, teachers and staff often step in to provide additional snacks and resources.

Despite these struggles, the school functions as usual. Ansika follows a daily routine of morning prayers, classroom lessons, and lunch breaks. On Thursdays, she looks forward to her special mid-day meal, which includes an egg—a rare treat.

Her father, Vikram Singh Rawat, earns Rs 10,000 a month as a driver, and he is grateful for the school’s presence. “I cannot afford a private school, and this village is a safe place for my daughter,” he says.

The quality of education remains a concern, but Vikram acknowledges that being the only student has allowed Ansika to receive individual attention.

Bhatoli is not alone, as according to the Indian Express, about 40 km away in Mathian village, seven-year-old Kanhaiya is the sole student at his school. His headmaster, Surender Singh Negi, has been teaching for 20 years and says this is the first time he has had just one student.

“There were three students last year, but now, most parents prefer to send their children to private schools in Rishikesh and Dehradun,” he says. Despite his best efforts, the declining numbers worry him. He fears that if no new students enroll, the school might eventually close.

At the nearby Government Upper Primary School, 11-year-old Aditya Maithani is also the only student. With two teachers assigned to his education, he follows a structured routine, though limited social interaction is a concern. His teachers try to engage him in activities like carrom and badminton, but he rarely speaks.

For teachers in these single-student schools, the situation is heartbreaking. “Once Aditya leaves for middle school, Kanhaiya will take his place, but after him, there is no one left in the village to enroll,” says headmaster Kamlesh Semwal.

Recognising the problem, the Uttarakhand government has proposed a cluster school model, where students from remote villages will be transported to larger schools within a 3–10 km radius. The government, under this scheme, will provide Rs 22 per trip for students traveling to school. While no forced mergers are planned, authorities hope to convince parents to opt for this system to ensure children receive better educational facilities.

“Even if a school has just one student, we cannot deny them education,” says Hemlata Bhatt, District Elementary Education Officer, Tehri.

For families in these villages, the decision to stay or migrate is difficult. Many parents worry about their children’s future, knowing that limited educational and healthcare facilities make life in the hills challenging.

Rajani Devi, a resident of Bhatoli, says, “My son walks 4 km to his senior secondary school. By the time he gets home, he is too tired to study. If he passes his exams, I will think about his future.”

Women in these villages are also reluctant to stay. Anganwadi worker Gulabi Devi points out that several men in Bhatoli remain unmarried as women prefer moving to the plains, where there are better facilities.