Increasing school dropout rate in Nabarangpur dist raises concern

The dropout rate in Nabarangpur district is emerging as a serious concern, with an increasing number of students leaving school midway through their education.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

The trend, visible from primary to secondary levels, has alarmed both the School and Mass Education Department and social organisations.

In the recent session of the state Assembly, Balasore Sadar MLA Manas Kumar Dutta sought details from state School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond regarding dropout figures in the state over the past five years. Data presented by the minister indicate that among the four districts of the undivided Koraput region, Nabarangpur’s dropout rate is particularly worrying.

At the primary level, Nabarangpur records a dropout rate of 1.73 per cent, including 2.01 per cent among girls and 1.45 per cent among boys. The rate rises sharply at the upper primary level to 10.57per cent, with 10.91 per cent for girls and 10.25 per cent for boys, indicating a significant jump as students transition from primary to upper primary classes.