CHENNAI: The number of children dropping out of schools at secondary level in Tamil Nadu has jumped a 100% in three years, shows data shared by Union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" in Parliament.
While states such as Rajasthan, Maharastra and Karnataka managed to bring down their school dropout rate at secondary level, Tamil Nadu, one of the educationally progressive state, recorded 16.2% dropouts in Classes IX and X in 2017-18 compared to 8% in 2015-16, according to Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data.
Replying to questions about dropout in schools by Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangare and PP Chaudhary, ruling party MPs from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the Union minister gave poverty and economic condition, child suffering with disability or poor health, domestic work and education not considered important by parents and households as some of the reasons for out-of-school children including dropouts.
The state secondary level dropout rate which was 8.1% in 2015-16, has gone up to 10% in 2016-17, according to the data. The dropout rate at primary level (from Classes I to V) in TN in 2017-18 was 5.9%.
Most of 2018 dropouts brought back to regular schools: Teachers
Teachers said most of the dropouts in 2018 were brought back to regular schools as part of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme which traced the school dropouts up to Class VI. In 2018, SSA was merged with RMSA ( Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan) and now being called Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
“No detention policy up to Class VIII has sustained the students till elementary level in the state. But students are dropping out from Class IX onwards due to detention and board exams. We need to implement comprehensive and continuous evaluation for Classes IX and X,” said professor Andrew Sesuraj, state convener, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch.
He also demanded extension of the ambit of Right to Education act from 14 years to 18 years.
“Students should be retained in formal schooling system till Class XII. For those not interested in academics, schools can impart vocational skills as well,” he said.
A Peter Raja, president of Tamil Nadu High School and Higher Secondary Schools Headmasters’ Association said the dropouts brought down throughout the state at elementary level due to SSA scheme. “They will track all the children below 14-years of age at the hamlets and teachers also used to visit to the houses of children who were absent for more than a month. But the increase in dropouts at secondary level is a surprise,” he said.
He further said poverty would not affect education in Tamil Nadu as it is mostly free.
Educationist Prince Gajendrababu said migration of labourers within the state and outside the state could be a reason for increase in school dropouts.
“The school education department should conduct a study on why there is sudden increase in school dropouts at secondary level. They should also find out whether the children are employed in domestic work or pushed out by schools for 100% results in class X board exams,” he said.
When contacted, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan state project director R Sudalaikannan refused to comment.
While states such as Rajasthan, Maharastra and Karnataka managed to bring down their school dropout rate at secondary level, Tamil Nadu, one of the educationally progressive state, recorded 16.2% dropouts in Classes IX and X in 2017-18 compared to 8% in 2015-16, according to Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data.
Replying to questions about dropout in schools by Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangare and PP Chaudhary, ruling party MPs from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the Union minister gave poverty and economic condition, child suffering with disability or poor health, domestic work and education not considered important by parents and households as some of the reasons for out-of-school children including dropouts.
The state secondary level dropout rate which was 8.1% in 2015-16, has gone up to 10% in 2016-17, according to the data. The dropout rate at primary level (from Classes I to V) in TN in 2017-18 was 5.9%.
Most of 2018 dropouts brought back to regular schools: Teachers
Teachers said most of the dropouts in 2018 were brought back to regular schools as part of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme which traced the school dropouts up to Class VI. In 2018, SSA was merged with RMSA ( Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan) and now being called Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
“No detention policy up to Class VIII has sustained the students till elementary level in the state. But students are dropping out from Class IX onwards due to detention and board exams. We need to implement comprehensive and continuous evaluation for Classes IX and X,” said professor Andrew Sesuraj, state convener, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch.
He also demanded extension of the ambit of Right to Education act from 14 years to 18 years.
“Students should be retained in formal schooling system till Class XII. For those not interested in academics, schools can impart vocational skills as well,” he said.
A Peter Raja, president of Tamil Nadu High School and Higher Secondary Schools Headmasters’ Association said the dropouts brought down throughout the state at elementary level due to SSA scheme. “They will track all the children below 14-years of age at the hamlets and teachers also used to visit to the houses of children who were absent for more than a month. But the increase in dropouts at secondary level is a surprise,” he said.
He further said poverty would not affect education in Tamil Nadu as it is mostly free.
Educationist Prince Gajendrababu said migration of labourers within the state and outside the state could be a reason for increase in school dropouts.
“The school education department should conduct a study on why there is sudden increase in school dropouts at secondary level. They should also find out whether the children are employed in domestic work or pushed out by schools for 100% results in class X board exams,” he said.
When contacted, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan state project director R Sudalaikannan refused to comment.
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