‘List details of steps taken to end dropouts from school’
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to detail measures taken to stem the huge number of children dropping out from schools in the state.
Hearing a petition filed by Indore resident S P Anand for implementing the government policy to make education free for all children below the age of 14, a division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice J P Devadhar asked the government to come out with the “true picture as the issue concerns the future of the country—the education of children.’’
Expressing concern at the high rate of dropouts, the Chief Justice remarked, “It is a very serious matter.’’
According to the government’s affidavit 4.28 lakh children had dropped out from school, and the rate of dropouts between Std I and X stood at an alarming 53.3%. The government advocate claimed that the dropout rate had been decreasing as in 1992-93 the levels were 66%, but the HC said that enough was not done.
The affidavit added that most children dropped out due to financial or family problems. The state also informed the court that free education was provided in government-run schools to boys till Std X and to girls up to standard XII. The HC, however, said that records had not been submitted to back that claim.
The court has now asked the state government to file a comprehensive affidavit giving details of the number of new schools established since 2000 and the number of additional institutions that have been provided aid.
Keeping in mind the condition of the girl child, the court directed the state to also submit statistics about female children admitted to schools and how many have dropped out. The affidavit, to be filed in three weeks also should comprise measures required to be taken to prevent children from dropping out of schools once they take admissions or in the least reduce the number of drop outs. TNN
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