School Dropout Rate in 7 States Higher Than National Average, Bihar Performs Worst

According to official data compiled from the Project Approval Board (PAB) meetings held under the Ministry of Education, the school dropout rate at the secondary level in 2021-22 was higher than the national average of 12.6% in seven states, including Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Assam, and Punjab. These meetings took place between March and May of this year to discuss the implementation of the "Samagra Shiksha" program for 2023-24. Officials have emphasized that reducing dropout rates is crucial for achieving the new National Education Policy's goal of attaining a 100% Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) at the school level by 2030.

Analyzing the PAB meeting minutes, it is revealed that Bihar had a dropout rate of 20.46% at the secondary level in 2021-22, while Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Meghalaya, and Karnataka recorded rates of 17.85%, 20.3%, 16.7%, 17.2%, 21.7%, and 14.6% respectively. Although West Bengal has seen significant improvements in the dropout rate, particularly at the elementary level from 2020-21 to 2021-22, it is essential for the state to continue taking adequate measures to reduce dropout rates and improve retention rates at the secondary level, as noted in one of the minutes.

The Union Territory of Delhi faces challenges with a significant number of out-of-school children, and it was recommended in one of the documents that details of these children who have been mainstreamed should be uploaded on the PRABANDH portal. Unfortunately, the minutes did not include dropout rate figures for West Bengal and the national capital.

In Madhya Pradesh, the dropout rate at the secondary level decreased from 23.8% in 2020-21 to 10.1% in 2021-22, as highlighted by the data. The state has been conducting an annual special enrollment drive, including a focused household survey with the assistance of a mobile app. Maharashtra also witnessed a decline in the annual average dropout rate at the secondary level, from 11.2% in 2020-2021 to 10.7% in 2021-2022. However, the dropout rate remains high, exceeding 15% in five districts of the state.

Uttar Pradesh reported a "very high" annual average dropout rate in several districts, including Basti (23.3%), Budaun (19.1%), Etawah (16.9%), Ghazipur (16.6%), Etah (16.2%), Mahoba (15.6%), Hardoi (15.6%), and Azamgarh (15%). Similarly, while the dropout rate in Rajasthan has been consistently decreasing overall, the dropout rate among scheduled tribes (nine percent) and Muslim children (18 percent) remains "very high" at the secondary level, according to the documents.

A survey conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) last year revealed that 33% of girls in India drop out of school due to domestic work. Additionally, it was found that many children who leave school end up working as laborers with their families or as domestic help.