Mysuru has over 2,600 school drop outs

While several schemes are in place to ensure that all children between the age of six to 14 attend schools, it is now learnt that a total of 2,657 children have remained away from schools in the district. According to officials, a majority of the drop outs are girls and children hailing from backward communities.

A survey taken up in December 2013, by Department of Public Instruction and NGOs, had identified a total of 5,512 children who had dropped out of schools. Following the survey, the Department succeeded in re-enrolling 2,855 children.

Among the nine educational blocks in the district, maximum number of children who had quit school, originated from Mysuru North educational block -- 1,316 children. Of these, 785 were re-enrolled, followed by Nanjangud, 808 children (578 re-enrolled) and Hunsur education blocks, 692 children (368 re-enrolled).

Considering the percentage of children who have been brought to the mainstream, Nanjangud educational block stands last, with a dismal 28.47 per cent. Mysuru rural educational block too has fared poorly, with only 216 of the 634 children identified, enrolled back to school.

60 pc girls

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Chandra Patil, Deputy Project Coordinator of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, said that about 60 per cent of the children who had dropped out of schools were girls. “In some backward communities in rural areas, girl students are disallowed from attending schools once they achieve physical maturity. Their parents are keen to marry them off,” he said, noting that the children in question were below 14 years old.

Commenting on the Statistics compiled by the Department, he said that drop-outs were more in educational blocks with a higher Muslim and SC/ST population. “For instance, Mysore North has a higher Muslim population and Nanjangud has higher SC/ST population. Lack of awareness among these communities about the significance of education is the cause,” he said.

He also said, there were many reasons for children to drop out of school. “Major cause is migration, as observed in nomadic communities. Second major cause is the discrimination against girl children. Third is poverty, due to which some children are forced to drop out of school and join work,” he said.

He said that there were eight to ten programmes of the Department, which were aimed at such children. They are being rehabilitated through intervention schemes such as Chinnara Angala, Residential Special Training and other programmes, he said.
Despite the programmes, he said that awareness among the backward communities was crucial to bring the children back to school.
DH News Service