Question : DROP OUT RATE OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS

(a) whether the drop out rate of school children at primary, upper primary and secondary schools level has increased during the last three years ;

(b) if so, the extent of drop out rate in each State/UT during each of the last three years;

(c) whether the drop out rate is mainly amongst the female child due to non-availability of toilets in these schools;

(d) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Government has set any target to enroll more students under the Right to Education Act in the next two years;and

(f) if so, the action plan drawn up by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D.PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): State-wise and Gender-wise Dropout Rate at primary (I- V), Elementary (I-VIII) and Secondary (I-X) level of education for the years 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08 are given in Annexure I, II and III respectively. Details as given in Annexure reveal that there is a general downward trend in the dropout rates during the above period across each stage (primary, elementary and secondary) of education.

(c) & (d) The socio-economic and school related factors affect drop out. Dropout rate among Girls is generally low as compared to boys at elementary level of education. However, various steps are being taken under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to reduce the dropout such as improvement in school infrastructure, recruitment of additional teachers, provision of annual school grants, teachers grant, regular training and academic support of teachers.Interventions under SSA also include special provisions to promote education of girls through Kastruba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and National Prgoramme for Education of Girls for Elementary Level (NPEGEL).

With a view to reduce drop out rates at the secondary level, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)” envisages special focus on girls enrolment and retention through various measures including appointment of women teachers, provision of separate toilets for girls etc.

(e) & (f): The Right to Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 has been enacted to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years.The Act has come into force from 1.4.2010.

Section 4 of the RTE Act, 2009 provides that where a child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted, could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age.The RTE Act also provides that where a child is directly admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age, then, he or she shall, in order to be at par with others, have a right to receive special training,in such manner, and within such time- limits, as may be prescribed. The Act further provides that a child so admitted to elementary education shall be entitled to free education till completion of elementary education even after fourteen years.