TRENDS IN SCHOOL DROPOUT RATE IN INDIA

Abstract

In global perspective, it is an incontestable fact that the progress of a nation is highly dependent on the education of its citizens. Education thus plays a crucial role and has a cross cutting impact on all aspects of human life. But the increasing dropout numbers pertain to a shabby state of affairs in the education system. The main purpose of this study is thereby to analyse the trends in dropout rate, explore causes and provide suggestions to reduce dropout rate at secondary stage in India. The findings of this study are drawn from the extensive literature review of students’ dropout in different states of India wherein child marriage, lack of transportation, separate toilet, safety, and security en route the school, educational profile of parents, Lack of recreation, Absence of teachers, Lack of guidance and counseling, Partiality, prejudices, affordability and Lack of interest in school are found as major causes for student dropout in India. This study also highlights some policy implications such as improving school culture, providing basic facilities in schools, organising Inservice teacher training programmes for teachers to identify and handle at risk students and conducting remedial teaching programmes for the needy students in schools in order to guide policy makers to combat this problem.