Syllabus: GS-II: Education 

Why in the news?

The latest UDISE+ 2024-25 Report reveals that Assam has achieved significant reductions in school dropout rates across all levels. However, despite this progress, the State continues to have rates higher than national averages — especially at the secondary level.

Key facts and figures

• At the primary level (Class 1–5), Assam’s dropout rate dropped from 6.2 % in 2023-24 to 3.8 % in 2024-25.
  
• At the upper primary level (Class 6–8), the rate declined from 8.2 % to 5.0 % in the same period.
  
• At the secondary level (Class 9–10), it fell significantly from 25.1 % to 17.5 %, yet remains well above the national average of 8.2 %.
  
• Nationally, the dropout rates for 2024-25 stand at 2.3 % (primary), 3.5 % (upper primary) and 8.2 % (secondary).
  

Underlying context

• Assam historically has had higher dropout rates than the national average, especially in secondary education — driven by factors such as early marriages, socio-economic deprivation, and limited access to schools in remote areas.
  
• The reduction in dropout rates is attributed to reforms under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, strengthening of infrastructure, improved transition and retention rates, and better monitoring through digital systems.
  

Why it matters

• Education for All: Ensuring children complete school is essential for achieving goals under the National Education Policy 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.
  
• Human Development & Growth: A lower dropout rate helps build a more skilled workforce, reduces social inequities, and stimulates long-term economic growth.
  
• Regional Equity: For states like Assam, bridging the gap with national averages is crucial for inclusive development and for reducing north-east India’s education-divide.
  

Steps Taken by the Assam State Government to Reduce School Dropout Rates

• Special Committee on Dropouts
  
  • A high-level panel has been set up to study dropout trends, identify causes, and design an incentive-based retention scheme targeting vulnerable groups.
    
• District-wise Dropout Analysis
  
  • Under Samagra Shiksha, a detailed district-level mapping of dropout patterns is being carried out to enable targeted, data-driven interventions.
    
• Improving Access to Schools
  
  • Higher Secondary classes (XI–XII) are being added in remote and tea-garden schools to reduce travel distance and keep students—especially girls—in school.
    
• Gunotsav Quality-Assessment Programme
  
  • Statewide school evaluation drives (Gunotsav) are improving teaching standards, infrastructure and learning outcomes, helping reduce disengagement and dropout.
    
• Targeted Support for Vulnerable Communities
  
  • Special focus on children from tea-garden areas, first-generation learners, rural students and girls through remedial classes, community drives and re-enrolment campaigns.
    
• Monitoring Through UDISE+ and SSA Systems
  
  • Regular tracking of retention and dropout data helps the state assess impact and refine strategies (example: primary dropout rate reduction from about 6% to below 4%).

Key terms explained

• Dropout rate: The percentage of students who leave school without completing the current level within a year.
  
• Retention rate: The proportion of students who continue in school from one year to the next or from one grade to the next.
  
• Transition rate: The share of students moving from one educational stage to the next (e.g., from upper primary to secondary).
  
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): The total enrolment in a level of education, regardless of age, as a percentage of the eligible age population for that level.
  

Way forward

• Strengthen Secondary & Senior Secondary Retention
  
  • Target the highest-risk stage (Class 9–12) through counselling, career guidance, hostel facilities, and transport support, especially for rural and girl students.
    
• Address Socio-Economic Barriers
  
  • Expand direct benefit schemes (scholarships, uniforms, bicycles, menstrual hygiene support) to economically weaker and tea-tribe households where dropouts are high.
    
• Improve Learning Outcomes to Prevent Push-Outs
  
  • Introduce bridge courses, remedial teaching, digital learning tools and continuous teacher training to tackle learning poverty, a major cause of silent dropout.
    
• Community & Parent Engagement
  
  • Strengthen School Management Committees, involve local leaders, NGOs, women SHGs, and launch awareness campaigns against early marriage and child labour.
    
• Data-Driven Governance
  
  • Use UDISE+ and real-time school dashboards for predictive dropout mapping, so students at risk can be identified before they leave school.
    
• Expansion of Vocational & Skill-Integrated Education
  
  • Make secondary education meaningful by linking it with NSQF skill courses, ITI pathways, agriculture & local industry-based training, increasing future employability.
    
• Inclusive Education Push
  
  • Ensure disability-inclusive infrastructure, special educators, and assistive learning tools so that children with special needs are retained in mainstream schooling.
    
• Strengthen Pre-Primary & Foundational Learning
  
  • Integrate anganwadi-school transition, early literacy-numeracy programmes, and NEP-based Foundational Stage reforms to prevent later-stage dropouts.

Exam Hook: Key Take-aways

• Assam’s dropout rates 2024-25: Primary – 3.8 %, Upper Primary – 5.0 %, Secondary – 17.5 %.
  
• National averages: Primary – 2.3 %, Upper Primary – 3.5 %, Secondary – 8.2 %.
  
• Major improvement but secondary education remains an area of concern for Assam.
  

Mains Question:

“Discuss Assam’s progress in reducing school dropout rates, highlighting key challenges and policy interventions necessary to bridge the gap with national averages.”

One-line wrap:
Assam’s sharp drop in school drop-out rates marks a significant stride forward — but achieving parity with national standards, especially in secondary education, remains the next frontier.

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