‘Consider ITI, diploma students to fix Goa’s dropout rate’

Union Education Ministry pegs figure at 8.76%

Panaji: In an effort to reduce Goa’s dropout rate, which has been shown as 8.76% by the central government at the secondary school level, the state’s Directorate of Education (DoE) has written to the Union Ministry of Education to include students who have enrolled for various short-term courses, polytechnic courses and at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

“If these students are included, it will show the actual dropout rate of the state at the secondary level,” a DoE official said.

As per the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) portal of the central government, the state’s dropout rate for the academic year 2022-23 has been shown as 8.76% at the secondary level.

“This dropout rate has been calculated excluding the enrolment at unrecognised schools, ITIs and those who opted for diploma courses. These students cannot be called dropouts, as they are pursuing various other courses,” said a DoE official.

Presently, nearly 4,500 students are registered at ITIs, polytechnics, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and different private institutions for short-term courses. According to the DoE, if these students are included in the calculation process, the dropout rate will come down to tentatively 3.86%.

“The tentative dropout rate after including enrolment at unrecognised schools, ITIs, diploma polytechnic in the age group of 14-17 years in classes IX to XI, enrolment at NIOS in class X and also the enrolment of students registered as external candidates with Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education for class X including NIOS,” said the official.

“Here, the dropout rate is calculated by considering the enrolment of students of age group 14 -17 years in ITIs and polytechnic along with grade IX to XI. Also, students registered for NIOS and external candidates are considered,” said the official.

“Sizeable number of students in the age group of 14 -18 years is enrolled at various unregistered private institutions that provide short-term courses.

Upon completion of the courses, the students are absorbed in the local tourism industry, merchant navy and they also take up jobs in the Gulf countries,” said the official.

Additionally, as part of the action plan to reduce the dropout rate of the state, the DoE has directed all government and government-aided schools to initiate Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP) to improve academic performance of the students.

“Vidya Samiksha Kendra has been made functional in the state at SCERT-Goa. This will track the students on a regular basis for their attendance as well as their academic performance. Additionally, the baseline assessment of students under PARAKH has already been started,” said the official.