Geospatial Analysis of Government, Government-Aided, and Private Schools in Tamil Nadu: A Temporal Study of 2001, 2015, And 2025

Abstract : Tamil Nadu, one of India's most educationally advanced states, has witnessed a profound spatial restructuring of its school landscape over the past two and a half decades. Drawing on longitudinal data from the District Information System for Education (DISE) and Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) for the years 2001, 2015, and 2025, this article presents a geospatial analysis of government, government-aided, and private unaided schools across the state's 38 districts. Findings reveal a dramatic rise in private school provision — from approximately 14,600 schools (23.8% of all schools) in 2001 to an estimated 42,100 schools (47.7%) in 2025 — accompanied by spatial concentration in urban and peri-urban districts. Government schools declined modestly in absolute terms while significantly losing enrolment share. Government-aided schools contracted persistently. Gross enrolment ratios at the elementary level approached universality (99.4%), yet significant quality and equity gaps persisted geographically. The article employs choropleth mapping, trend analysis, and descriptive spatial statistics to illuminate these dynamics and discusses policy implications under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE Act) and the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).