Statistics reveal surge in dropouts
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Despite the implementation of the No Fail Policy, which is claimed to be flowing from the Right to Education Act, 10.07 per cent of students are reported to have dropped out from classes I to X, according to latest statistical data compiled by the Education Department for the year 2012-13.
This is a huge upsurge compared to the drop out rate of 3.32 per cent for 2011-12 among students of classes I to X. What is even more alarming is that the drop out rate of girl students for 2012-13 is recorded at 11.42 per cent and boys at 8.80 per cent.
That the drop out rate is increasing is evident from the fact that while the enrolment at the primary level is 1,00,206 (for classes I to IV) the enrolment at the secondary level is just 63,055 (for classes IX to X).
While there had been a decline in the drop out rate between 2005-2009, the recent rise in dropouts since then has raised eyebrows. Statistics show that at the primary level (classes I to V) the drop out rate is 5.92 per cent which is higher compared to 2011-12 when it was 4.71 per cent . Despite the mass promotion system which is being implemented under Right To Education (RTE) and several incentives being offered to ensure retention of students, this increasing drop out rate now raises a huge query on where the system is failing in ensuring compulsory education to every child.
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At the primary level, the drop out rate of female students have shown an increase in 2012-13 at 6.33 per cent , while in the previous year it was 5.50 per cent. Likewise, for male students at the primary level, the drop out rate for 2012-13 is 5.26 per cent, while in the previous year it was 3.97 per cent.
Educationists who seemed extremely puzzled over this revelation pointed out that the No Fail Policy was meant to ensure that children do not drop out from school while proceeding from the primary to the secondary and thereafter successfully complete class X.
The free text books, mid-day meal, sports marks policy were all aimed at retaining children in school.
Fr Dominic Savio Fernandes, Principal of Pope John XXIII High School, Quepem said, “The scenario in Goa is no different from that in the rest of the country. The No Fail Policy should bring down the drop out rate even though it compromises on the standard of education.”
Fr Dominic Savio held the view that the problem crops up at class IX where a child has to cope up to clear a public exam which is slated at the end of class X.
The No Fail Policy, he said, is actually compromising on raising the standards of education as a child may be learning but not getting educated enough to meet the challenges as he moves ahead in the schooling system.
A teacher from a Diocesan school in North Goa said, “We will have to sit down and introspect on the current system of education vis-à-vis the RTE which is being selectively implemented in Goa”.
This teacher said that the teacher-student ratio is not proportionate in Goa and the high number of students per teacher results in less attention and mass promotions without any hard work and results.
Also the drop out rate occurs at class IX as children are now preferring to opt for the National Open Schooling instead of taking on the challenge of completing their education under the Goa Board.
This trend is likely to pick up in the years to come, educationists fear, if the government does not bring in some reforms in the syllabus.
