Primary school dropout rates rising every year in Assam claims economic survey

Digital Desk: The latest Economic Survey for Assam, covering the fiscal year 2023-24, has highlighted a concerning trend: the continuous increase in student dropout rates within state-run primary schools despite government efforts to mitigate the issue. Education deemed pivotal for balanced social and fiscal development, faces hurdles as dropout rates persistently rise.

In the 2022-23 academic year, the average annual dropout rate in lower primary (LP) schools surged to 8.49 percent, a significant jump from 6.02 percent in 2021-22. This upward trajectory continues from 4.3 percent in 2019-20 and 3.1 percent in 2018-19, as per Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data.

At the upper primary (UP) level, the dropout rate climbed to 10.33 percent in 2022-23, compared to 8.81 percent the previous year. Notably, the transition rate from primary to upper primary schools stood at 89.7 percent, signifying a notable drop in student retention.

Geographically, South Salmara district reported the highest dropout rates, reaching 22.52 percent in LP schools and 32.39 percent in UP schools. Conversely, Sivasagar recorded the lowest rates, underscoring regional disparities in educational outcomes.

Assam's educational landscape comprises 33,937 government and provincialized LP schools, predominantly in rural areas, and 5,815 upper primary schools, with a similar rural bias. Despite the rising dropout rates, the gross enrollment ratio (GER) for elementary schools (Class 1 to 8) has seen incremental growth, reaching 109.8 percent in 2021-22.

Conversely, secondary school GERs remained relatively stagnant, hovering around 74 percent for Class 9-10, while senior secondary schools struggled with a notably lower GER of 40.1 percent in 2021-22, highlighting challenges in student progression beyond primary levels.

The Economic Survey emphasizes the pivotal role of education in empowering individuals with skills and knowledge, essential for economic growth. Government initiatives, including free textbook distribution, have sought to enhance educational access and affordability. In 2023-24, over 46.6 lakh students received free textbooks, a substantial effort to alleviate financial burdens on families.

Despite these endeavors, the persistent rise in dropout rates underscores systemic challenges within Assam's education system. While GERs indicate increased enrollment, they fail to capture the complexities of student retention and academic progression, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

Addressing the root causes of dropout rates demands a multifaceted approach, encompassing infrastructure development, teacher training, community engagement, and targeted interventions to support at-risk students. Furthermore, equitable distribution of resources and tailored support mechanisms are essential to ensure inclusive and quality education for all children in Assam.

As education remains central to socio-economic development, concerted efforts and strategic investments are imperative to reverse the tide of rising dropout rates and foster a conducive learning environment for every child in the state.