FINANCIAL PRESSURE AND HOUSEHOLD DUTIES DRIVING SCHOOL DROPOUTS IN INDIA

NEWS – Recent government assessment reveals a worrying trend: despite improvements in girls’ dropout rates, overall secondary school retention remains weak, with financial necessity and domestic responsibilities emerging as primary causes. The report questions India’s progress toward NEP 2020’s target of 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) at middle and secondary levels.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Data Highlights

• GER Decline
  • Middle school GER (2024–25): 90.3%
  • Secondary school GER: 68.5%
• Primary Reasons
  • Boys: Financial burden and need for income support
  • Girls: Household responsibilities
• Age Group Most Affected
  • 72% of dropouts aged 14–18
• Academic Pressure
  • Over 50 lakh students failed Class 10 & 12 examinations
• Administrative Response
  • National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) tasked to:
    • Individually contact dropouts
    • Provide incentives and alternate schooling pathways

Government Interventions

• Direct Outreach
  • NIOS to reach every failed student and encourage re-enrolment
• Fee Waivers and Support
  • Proposal to waive enrollment fees for dropout students
• Promotion of Open Schooling
  • Flexible learning encouraged for students who cannot attend regular schools
• Teacher Strength
  • Pupil–teacher ratio at secondary level: 21:1 (2024–25)

Socio-Economic Context

• Legal employment permissible over age 14 in non-hazardous sectors, pulling boys into work
• Household dependency culture increases girls’ withdrawal from education
• Economic vulnerability and exam-centric performance system deepening exclusion

Concerns & Challenges

• Persistent regional disparities in educational access
• Financial distress overshadowing educational priorities
• Need for psychosocial and livelihood support for families
• Risk of widening inequality and under-qualification of youth