Number of girls leaving school reaches 16 lakh, worrying report on decline in education

While the government gives slogans of campaigns like “Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao”, a disturbing report has emerged in the field of education. U-DISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) of the Ministry of Education According to the report, 16 lakh girls have dropped out of school in the academic year 2023-24. This decline has been highest among the deprived sections of the society—SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.

More than 37 lakh students left studies

The report states that during 2023-24 37.45 lakh Students left school.

• Falling Enrollment Figures:
  • 2021-22: Rs 26.52 crore
  • 2022-23: Rs 25.17 crore
  • 2023-24: Rs 24.80 crore

The decline was mainly seen in secondary and higher secondary classes (9th to 12th), where more than 17 lakh students dropped out.

Impact on girls and minorities

• Decline in the number of girls:
  16 lakh girls dropped out of the education system.
• Effect on Boys:
  21 lakh boys left school.
• Minority community:
  Minorities represented 20% of the total enrolled students.
  • 79.6% Muslim
  • 10% Christian
  • 6.9% Sikh
  • 2.2% Buddhist
  • 1.3% Jain
  • 0.1% Parsi

Identification and caste classification of fake students

In the report, the benefits of government schemes should reach the right students and identity of fake students Personal data was used for.

• Ethnic Classification:
  • 26.9% general category
  • 18% scheduled caste
  • 9.9% Scheduled Tribe
  • 45.2% Other Backward Classes
• State wise difference:
  The number of schools in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and other states exceeds the number of enrolled students, while the number of schools in states like Punjab, Bihar, and Delhi is relatively less.

status of infrastructure

The Education Ministry report also highlights the state of infrastructure:

1. Computer and Internet:
   • 43% schools still do not have computers.
   • Only 53% of schools have internet facility.
2. other facilities:
   • Electricity and separate toilets are available in 90% of the schools.

Increase in primary and pre-primary education

However, improvement has been recorded in primary and pre-primary enrolment. This change is indicative of increased awareness in the early stages of education.

Possible reasons behind the decline

1. Economic Challenges:
   Due to inflation and declining family income, children, especially girls, are forced to drop out of school.
2. Social Barriers:
   There are still many negative attitudes towards girls’ education in the society.
3. Lack of digital resources:
   Non-availability of facilities like computers and internet is keeping children away from education.
4. Impact of the pandemic:
   After Covid-19, children’s education has become a priority for many families.

Way forward: suggestions for solutions

1. Making education accessible:
   Access to schools needs to be made easier in rural and remote areas.
2. Expansion of Digital Infrastructure:
   Availability of computers and internet should be ensured in all schools.
3. Focus on girls’ education:
   Special schemes should be implemented to encourage girls’ education.
4. Financial Aid:
   Financial assistance should be increased for the deprived sections.