SSA Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan: 4 lakh dropouts in 3 years

From - daily.bhaskar.con

Jaipur: In spite of efforts of the state government to increase the number of students in elementary education, the progress in this regard is dismal.

The progress report released by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) shows that total enrolment of students has decreased on a state-wise basis in 2010-11 as compared to 2007-08. Total enrolments in elementary education in 2007-08 was 1.27 crore out of which 69.8 lakh students were boys while 56.7 lakh were girl students.

The enrolments decreased in 2008-09 academic session and 1.28 crore students were enrolled in the schools, the no of girl students also decreased to 57.40 lakh. Inspite the government's drive to increase the student enrolment, the figure decreased to 1.24 crore students being enrolled in 2010-11 academic session. Interestingly SSA has missed to give the information on dropout rates of recent years and has only given the no of dropouts for the year 2008-09.

Education department officials and teachers when contacted to ascertain the reason for this decrease in enrolment in spite of government efforts were found trying to put the blame on each other. "I don't know about the figures you are talking about, but among the prime reasons for this decrease in number is that in several places there are no teachers and students start losing interest as there are no studies happening resulting in increase in dropout rate," said Mohan Lal Bendara, deputy director of elementary education.

Government had also started child tracking survey to know the exact number of dropouts but it seems that the drive is yet to show results. This exercise has, however, resulted in absence of teachers from schools thereby discouraging more students from dropping out. "SSA has lost its steam in the state and the main reason for it is that the employees lack the will power to implement the government's plan," said an official of elementary education department.

It is important for this drive to increase enrolment in the state as Rajasthan's position is very low as compared to other states when it comes to literacy level.