THIRUVANTHAPURAM : UNICEF, in collaboration with Government of Kerala, convened the South Regional Consultation on Secondary Education Reform today.
The consultation brought together senior government officials, civil society organisations, academia, donors, development partners, teachers and students from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Participants deliberated on ways to make secondary education more accessible for all students and raise its quality.
Secondary education is critical for preparing adolescents for life, work and citizenship. While India has achieved near-universal primary education, only three in four adolescents aged 14 to 17 nationally are enrolled in school, with varying ratio across states.
The rates are even lower among the poorest, Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and minority students. , A total of 2.8 million children nationally did not transition to higher secondary education in 2024-25. The situation in South India illustrates that schooling does not automatically translate into learning. Even though the region exceeds the national average for enrolment and transition to higher secondary, learning outcomes remain low, with Grade 9 students scoring an average of only 38 to 56 per cent across subjects.
Speaking at the consultation, V. Sivankutty, Hon'ble Minister for General Education, Government of Kerala, emphasized the importance of bridging these gaps and said, "Kerala's success in human development and education is built on a simple principle — every child, regardless of who they are or where they come from, must have the opportunity to learn and succeed. Secondary education is a turning point in a young person's life. We must ensure that our schools are well-resourced, inclusive, and ready to prepare our adolescents for the future."
UNICEF is supporting the government for the ongoing secondary education reforms to benefit every adolescent equitably, with particular attention to girls, children with disabilities and those from marginalized and remote communities.
Dr. Saadhna Panday, Chief Education, UNICEF India, underscored that such a focus is imperative for inclusive social and economic development: "Investing adequately and equitably in secondary education for India's 165 million adolescents is investing in India's future. Research shows that completing secondary school lowers risks of child marriage, early pregnancy and child labour, while yielding social returns above 10 per cent and increasing incomes by 10 per cent per additional year of schooling."
The Secondary Education Reform process aims to unlock these benefits through system-wide transformation. Participants at the consultation affirmed a shared commitment to solutions and innovations, grounded in evidence, across four key areas: using data to guide planning and targeted financing; expanding safe, inclusive school infrastructure to increase access and support student retention; enhancing teacher capacity through continuous professional development and stronger management; and designing curriculum, materials and learning pathways that build 21st century skills, aligned with labour market needs.
Together, these commitments contribute to a comprehensive approach to secondary education reform, ensuring that changes are systemic and sustainable. "When education systems are well-governed and adequately funded, every child can complete schooling with purpose — ready to learn, earn, and contribute meaningfully to society and the economy." said K L Rao, Chief, UNICEF Office for Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The consultation reaffirmed that achieving equitable secondary education for all requires whole-of-society partnerships which engage government, private sector, academia, and civil society. The southern states have shown that such collaboration can effectively advance inclusive, skill-based education, with Kerala's success in technology-enabled classrooms, community engagement, and teacher empowerment recognized as a model for replication. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and state governments, UNICEF continues to support efforts to strengthen and scale such solutions through evidence generation, strengthened capacity for data use and targeted plans.
About the Consultation Series
The Southern Regional Consultation is part of a series of regional multi-stakeholder dialogues informing the National Secondary Education Reform Framework, which will guide India's education system from 2025 to 2030. UNICEF, in partnership with state governments, will continue to convene these regional consultations to chart a roadmap for transforming secondary education, facilitating pathways for every adolescent to complete 12 years of quality education, equipped with skills for life and work. The outcomes of the consultations will help shape recommendations for equitable access, quality learning, and sustainable financing across India.
About UNICEF
UNICEF strives to uphold the rights of every child, protecting them from harm and all forms of discrimination, so that they can grow up healthy and educated to reach their full potential. This work is in line with UNICEF's globally recognized mandate and its support of national priorities.
For more information on UNICEF India and its work visit https://www.unicef.org/india/.