A high dropout rate has been observed in Meghalaya schools in the past four years with almost one lakh students quitting. In the state assembly, the Meghalaya government informed that the economic condition of the family, domestic sibling care and migration were some of the causes of the high drop-out rates in the state.
Education and Literacy Minister Deborah C Marak told the Assembly, 'The main causes of dropouts are the economic condition of the parents, lack of success due to small habitation, poor teaching, domestic and sibling care and migration.''
She said the number of dropouts in 2013-14 was 33,557. In 2014-15 it was 31,276 while the following year the number went down to 14,957 and last year it was 17,299. The Minister said that special training centres have been set up in order to bring them back to school and efforts are on to wean them back through various programs and initiatives
Steps taken to prevent student dropout rate
- A programme was launched in order to try and improve the quality of teachers' education and also introducing a flexible timing of the training centres to cater to those children who cannot attend school during the day time
- She also said that the training modules were translated into local languages for better teaching and learning in lower primary section even as free textbooks, midday meal and teaching and learning methods were provided.
- Marak also informed that West Khasi Hills district registered 4508 number of children who dropped out of school followed by Jaintia Hills district having 1440 dropouts and Ri-bhoi district having 1041 dropouts. Efforts are also being taken to create community awareness wherein the parents and the community as a whole are made aware of the importance of education for the future of every child, the Minister said.