Srinagar, Aug. 17 -- Srinagar- The Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher-secondary education in Jammu and Kashmir has fallen to 44.8%, marking a sharp decline in enrolment as students progress from primary to Classes XI and XII, according to NITI Aayog's latest assessment of the school education system.

The data presents a pronounced drop across successive stages of schooling. J&K's primary-level GER stands at 113.7%, but falls to 77.3% at the upper-primary level, 66.1% at the secondary level and further to 44.8% at the higher-secondary level.

The figures indicate that while enrolment at the primary stage is relatively high, participation declines considerably as students move towards higher classes.

The 44.8% figure, however, represents the...