Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a dropout rate of 12.9 percent at the secondary school level, encompassing classes 9 and 10, for the academic year 2024-25. This figure was presented in the Rajya Sabha by the government in response to an unstarred question.
Regional and National Comparisons
Further details indicate that the dropout rate at the primary level, covering classes 1 to 5, stood at 1.5 percent in the Union Territory. For the upper primary level, which includes classes 6 to 8, the dropout rate was 3.2 percent. These figures place Jammu and Kashmir’s upper primary dropout rate below the national average of 3.5 percent, but its primary level dropout rate of 1.5 percent is significantly higher than the national average of 0.3 percent.
At the secondary school level, Jammu and Kashmir’s rate of 12.9 percent is higher than the national average of 11.5 percent. This suggests a greater challenge in retaining students through to the completion of secondary education within the Union Territory compared to the rest of the country.
Gender-Specific Trends
Analysis of gender-wise dropout rates reveals distinct patterns. At the primary level, boys exhibit a slightly higher dropout rate at 1.9 percent compared to girls at 1.1 percent. However, at the upper primary and secondary levels, the disparity between genders narrows. Boys had a dropout rate of 3.1 percent at the upper primary stage and 13.6 percent at the secondary stage. Girls recorded a dropout rate of 3.2 percent at the upper primary level and 12.2 percent at the secondary level. The data indicates a marginally higher dropout rate for boys at the secondary level.
Factors Influencing Dropouts
Education experts attribute the increasing trend in dropout rates at the secondary level to a multitude of factors. These often include economic hardships faced by families, leading to adolescent children needing to contribute to household income. Additionally, gaps in school infrastructure and accessibility, particularly in remote and rural areas, are cited as significant contributors to students discontinuing their education.
Government Initiatives and Data Tracking
The Ministry of Education actively monitors enrollment and dropout trends across the country through the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) database. This data collection is crucial for developing and strengthening retention policies, with a specific focus on secondary school students in Union Territories like Jammu and Kashmir. The government also implements various initiatives under schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, alongside state-level programs. These programs aim to improve student attendance through measures like providing mid-day meals, offering scholarships, and enhancing school infrastructure, all designed to reduce the incidence of dropouts.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that while Jammu and Kashmir demonstrates relatively lower dropout rates at the primary and upper primary stages, the elevated rate at the secondary level remains a point of concern for education policymakers and stakeholders. Sustained interventions are considered necessary to ensure that students in the region complete their entire schooling cycle.
The Chenab Times News Desk