(a) whether it is fact that the dropout rate for secondary education is higher than the dropout rate for elementary and primary education;
(b) whether the Government maintained any data regarding school dropouts especially, in case of minority, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes students;
(c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years State/UT-wise and reasons therefor; and
(d) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) The details of annual average drop-out rates for the year 2013-14 for the primary, elementary and secondary stages states-wise are at Annexure-I.
(b) and (c) The state wise status of the dropout rate at the Secondary Level for SCs/STs and all categories for the year 2012-13 and status of dropout rate for SCs/STs, Minorities and for all categories for 2013-14 is at Annexure-II.
(d) The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme has one of the objectives to reduce dropout rate of students at secondary stage. The scheme provides for improving access by establishing new secondary school and strengthening of existing secondary schools by providing additional classrooms, science laboratory, library, computer rooms, art/craft/culture rooms, toilets, drinking water facilities etc, to reduce dropout and to increase enrolment rate especially of students of SC, ST, Minority and girls at secondary stage. Interventions like survey and identification of out of school children, awareness programme, special teaching for learning enhancement, etc. are also supported under RMSA.
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