MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b): The dropout rate of SC/ST children for the Classes I-V and Classes I-VIII
during 2008-09, 2009-10 (Provisional) and 2010-11 (Provisional) is given below:
Category/Year I-V I-VIII 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
Scheduled Caste 26.6 29.3 26.7 47.3 51.3 43.3
Scheduled Tribes 35.6 34.5 35.6 59.2 57.8 55.0
The State-wise details of dropout rates are at Annex I&II.
(c): The Government has been making consistent progress in meeting the goals of
Universal Elementary Education through implementation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(SSA). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, which
became operational with effect from 1st April, 2010, provides that every child in
the 6 to 14 age-group shall have a right to free and compulsory education till the
completion of elementary education. The SSA Framework of Implementation has been
revised to correspond with the provisions of the RTE Act 2009 and the SSA is being
implemented in accordance with the norms and standards of the RTE Act to enhance
enrolment and retention of children. SSA facilitates context- specific interventions
for SC/ ST students. A multi–pronged approach has been adopted for reducing dropout
rates. This includes inter-alia strengthening of school infrastructure and
facilities, residential hostel buildings for children in habitations not covered
by regular schools, provisioning for additional teachers, regular training of
teachers, provision for text books and uniforms to children. The Kasturba Gandhi
Balika Vidyalaya Scheme provides for setting up of residential upper primary schools
for girls from SC, ST, OBC and Minority communities. The Mid Day Meal Scheme is
also being implemented with a view to enhance enrolment and retention of children
in school. Further, the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan(RMSA) which has been
launched for universal access to secondary education, aims at removing gender and
socio-economic disparities in access to education. The National Scheme of Incentive
to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) was launched in May 2008 with the objective
to establish an enabling environment to reduce the drop-outs and to promote the
enrolment of girl child belonging mainly to SC/ST communities in secondary schools.
Enrolment drive in areas having concentration of SC and ST, special coaching/remedial
teaching and sensitization programmes are some of the other measures undertaken under
RMSA to reduce dropout rate.
