Question : DROPOUT RATE

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

(a)&(b): Details of the dropout rates in primary(classes I-V),elementary (classes I-VIII) and secondary(classes I-X) stages, which have decreased during 2003-04 to 2005-06, are given below:

Year	Dropout rates in	Primary (I-V)	Elementary	Secondary	(I-VIII)	(I-X)

2003-04	31.5	52.3	62.7

2004-05	29.0	50.8	61.9

2005-06	25.7	48.8	61.6

(c): A multi-pronged approach has been adopted under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for reducing dropout rates. These include,interalia,strengthening of schools and improving the quality of education through improvement in school infrastructure,recruitment of additional teachers,provision of annual school grants,regular training of teachers,regular academic support to teachers etc.In addition,interventions under SSA also aim at building community support,flexible schooling for the hardest to reach children,special provision to promote education of girls,as well as children with special need.The Mid-day Meal Programme also compliments the strategy to reduce dropout rates.