School Chale Hum: 14% Children Of 15-16 Years Age Group Not Attending Schools In MP

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The state government is preparing for Praveshotsav- part of a four-day School Chale Hum Abhiyan - to boost enrolment in primary and middle schools it runs. The campaign will run from April 1 to April 4. 

According to latest data, 14.1% children in the age group of 15 -16 years are dropouts. The corresponding figure for girls is 16.1 and for boys, it is 12.2.   The dropout percentage among children in the 7-10 years age group is just 1.9.

About 3.2% of children in the age group of 11-14 years are out of schools. Among all age groups, the percentage of girl dropout in schools is higher than the boys.

In this respect, Madhya Pradesh lags behind the national average. In the country as a whole, the percentage of dropouts in 15-16 years age group is 7.9, which is almost half of state’s figure of 14.1. 

Similarly, at the national level the percentage of dropout children in 7-10 years age group is 1.2, lower than MP's 1.9. 

Over 12 lakh students left government schools from 2016 and 2024. As many as 6,35,434 students dropped out from Class 1 to 5. In all, 4,83,171 students left from Class 6 to 8 while 1,04,479 students dropped out from Class 9 to 12.

Novel initiatives  

Vidisha district administration has decided to present a kit containing pencil, water bottle and tiffin box to all students taking admission in Class 1 in 1,700 primary schools in the district. The initiative is being funded through public participation. The senior students are staging street plays to promote enrolment in Gathiwada village in Seoni district.