(a) whether the rate of school dropouts have increased in the last few years;
(b) the details of the number of students who quit their studies post primary education, State-wise;
(c) the details of the school dropouts during the last two years, State-wise including Maharashtra; and
(d) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the said problem?
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ''NISHANK'')
(a) to (c): As per Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), the State wise dropout rate for 2016-17 to 2018-19 including the State of Maharashtra is at Annexure.
(d): Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is provided to the States and UTs for various activities to reduce number of dropouts, which include opening/strengthening of new schools upto senior secondary level, construction of school buildings & additional classrooms, setting up, up-gradation and running of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, setting up of residential schools/hostels, free uniforms, free text books, transport allowance and undertaking enrolment drives, residential as well as non-residential trainings, Seasonal Hostels/ residential camps etc. Financial assistance is also provided for Inclusive Education of children with special needs. Also, Mid-Day-Meal is provided to students at the elementary level of education.
Further, in order to ensure that our children have access to education with quality and equity, the Department of School Education has prepared and issued detailed guidelines on 7th January, 2021, on the steps to be taken by the States and UTs. The link of the guidelines is https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files /guidelines_ oosc.pdf. The guidelines, among others, include identification of out of school children from age 6-18 years through door to door survey, enrolment drives and awareness generation, continued Education for children with Special Needs (CWSN) etc. etc.
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