ODISHA ASSEMBLY DEBATES RISING STUDENT DROPOUTS
The second day of the Odisha Assembly’s Winter Session saw a major discussion on student dropout rates and the steps being taken to reduce them.
ODISHA ASSEMBLY DEBATES RISING STUDENT DROPOUTS
Govt Highlights New Measures
CNB World Times
Bhubaneswar, 29th Nov: The second day of the Odisha Assembly’s Winter Session saw a major discussion on student dropout rates and the steps being taken to reduce them. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond answered questions raised by MLA Subasini Jena and other members.
The minister said that 1,83,216 students had dropped out of school in the state. The government has managed to bring back 60,729 children, while 1,22,487 students are still out of school. Gond said that campaigns are underway to bring the remaining children back to class and urged everyone to support the effort.
He informed the Assembly that the state had conducted a child-tracking survey and launched the “Aasa School Jiba” campaign to bring students back. Village-level enrollment drives and awareness events like “Prabesh Utsav” were also organised. The government is targeting 100% enrollment.
To encourage attendance, the state is providing free uniforms, bicycles, and other support schemes. The CM Poshan scheme, which earlier covered students only up to Class 8, has been extended to Classes 9 and 10. At present, 10.8 lakh students are receiving meals under this programme.
Gond also said the government is considering the recruitment of 1,500 teachers for children with disabilities. He noted that Odisha now has 462 PM Shri Schools, though earlier the state had none.
A debate arose in the Assembly over dropout data. Different agencies have published different dropout figures, sparking debate in the Assembly: Central government figures showed a 49.9% dropout rate at Class 10 for 2021–22. The Odisha government, however, cited a lower 17% dropout rate for technical and vocational students in 2022–23. Other reports indicated that the secondary-level dropout rate could be around 27.3%, showing the need for further investigation.
UDISE+ data also showed a high dropout point during the shift from Class 10 to Class 11, with 49.9% of students not continuing.
Opposition leaders linked the high dropout numbers to teacher shortages, unemployment, and the migration of poor families for work. They said these issues are forcing many children to leave school.
The minister also addressed the reopening of schools that were earlier shut because they had fewer than 20 students. He said that the previous government had closed many schools without proper study. So far, 46 schools have been reopened. Proposals to reopen more schools will be considered if they meet the required conditions.
In Basta constituency, 329 students had dropped out. Of them, 300 students have already returned, and efforts are ongoing to bring back the remaining 29.
Education experts continue to warn that academic difficulties, family problems, and economic challenges remain major reasons for school dropouts.
Several MLAs, including Prasanna Acharya, Ranendra Pratap Swain, Sidhant Mohapatra, Ashok Das, and Pramila Mallick, took part in the discussion. Many members stressed that no state or nation can call itself developed without ensuring education for all. They said children should not be forced to walk long distances because nearby schools were closed.
Members urged the government to reopen all eligible schools and treat education as a basic need that must not be delayed any further.
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