67% of Students Dropped Out of Schools in Karnataka in 2022-23

According to data from the primary and secondary education department, the academic year 2022-23 witnessed a dropout rate of more than 67 per cent among students in Karnataka. During this period, a total of 5,945 children left school, which marks the lowest figure in the last five years, as reported by Times of India. The previous year, 2021-22, saw 18,461 children dropping out of school, highlighting the severity of the issue.

Further information presented in the legislative council by the primary and secondary education minister, Madhu Bangarappa, revealed that between 2018-19 and 2022-23, more than 57,000 students discontinued their education in the state. This alarming trend has been attributed to several factors, including migration, family disputes, health issues, physical disability, and early marriage among female students.

Additionally, certain vulnerable groups are at a higher risk of dropping out, such as children from tribal families, orphans, nomads, street children, and children of ragpickers. To address this concerning situation, the government has taken measures by providing financial support. An amount of Rs 11 lakh was allocated during the academic year 2022-23, and over the past five years, close to Rs 10 crore has been invested to prevent school dropouts.

While the situation in Karnataka is worrying, an earlier analysis by the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) revealed that 11 states are responsible for 77 per cent of the total dropouts in class 12. Among these, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar top the list with 5.4 lakh and 3.4 lakh dropouts, respectively. In comparison, Karnataka accounted for around 1.6 lakh students dropping out of class 12. Similarly, in class 10, the 11 states contributing to 85 per cent of total dropouts include UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu (TN), Rajasthan, Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal (WB), Haryana, and Chhattisgarh.

Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts from educational authorities, communities, and the government to create an enabling environment that encourages students to stay in school and pursue their education.