In a recent parliamentary session, it was disclosed that Assam’s school dropout rates are alarmingly high compared to national averages. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) data, the annual dropout rate in lower primary (LP) schools for the State was recorded at 6.02 per cent in 2021-22. In contrast, the dropout rate at the Upper Primary Level was 8.82 per cent during the same period.
This information came to light following a query by Assam Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi.
The UDISE data highlights that Assam’s dropout rates at various educational stages significantly surpass national averages. Specifically, the dropout rate at the lower primary stage stands at over 6 per cent, whereas the national average is just 1.45 per cent.
At the upper primary stage, Assam’s rate is 8.8 per cent compared to the national figure of 3.02 per cent. At the secondary level, the dropout rate in Assam is 20.25 per cent, starkly higher than the national average of 12.6 per cent.
The UDISE data from 2021-22 shows an increase in dropout rates from previous years, with the LP school dropout rate rising from 4.3 per cent in 2019-20 and 3.1 per cent in 2018-19.
In related news, the Education department reported a decline in the number of State Government-run schools and student grades in May 2024. The results of ‘Gunotsav 2024’, a Statewide assessment conducted from January 3 to February 8, revealed a reduction in both school and student grades. This evaluation covered 38,97,323 students across 43,491 schools, excluding institutions with fewer than 30 students.
The assessment report showed a 3.78 per cent decrease in the number of schools graded, from 41,507 in 2023 to 32,421 this year. Among these, 11,592 schools received A+ grades, 14,933 were awarded A, 4,603 received B, 1,032 were graded C, and 261 obtained D.
Compared to the previous year, the distribution of grades changed: in 2023, 12,047 schools received A+, 19,085 got A, 7,673 were marked B, 1,948 received C, and 754 got D.
For students, the number receiving grades also saw a decline of 5.75 per cent, with 38,97,323 students graded this year compared to 41,35,163 last year. This year, 16,12,184 students earned A+, 11,52,671 got A, 5,95,865 received B, 2,57,313 were graded C, and 2,79,290 obtained D. In 2023, the figures were 15,77,966 A+, 13,44,188 A, 6,85,372 B, 2,63,589 C, and 2,64,048 D.
