July 29th 2024.
In the district of Rayagada, there is growing concern over the high number of students dropping out of school at the mid-level. Despite the government's efforts and investment in education, the problem persists. Various schemes have been implemented to address this issue, but unfortunately, they have failed in Rayagada due to the neglect of education department officials. Even with the provision of free books, uniforms, and meals, many students still choose to leave school after completing either fifth or eighth grade. Instead, they turn to farming or other jobs to support their families.
Recently, the state government has allocated funds for the Star scheme, aimed at reducing the dropout rate in Rayagada. However, the district administration had to return a majority of the funds as they were not utilized properly by the officials. The local intellectuals have demanded better implementation of this scheme to address the issue. Sources reveal that children in the district often discontinue their studies and take up jobs like woodcutting or working in hotels to support their families. This is mainly due to a lack of awareness among the vulnerable tribal population.
It is a common sight to see children from tribal or below poverty line families migrating to other states with their families in search of work. The district education department has been unsuccessful in bringing these dropouts back to school and encouraging them to continue their studies. As per official records, there are currently 4,690 dropouts in the district. However, the local intellectuals claim that this number is much higher as several students from slums and rural areas are not included in the list. By July 18, the number of dropouts was 5,465 in 11 blocks of the district, but with the efforts of the education department officials, it has reduced to 4,690 by July 25. The highest number of dropouts is in Kashipur block with 1,135 students, while the lowest is in Ramnaguda block with only 40 students.
Educationist Dushmant Kumar Mohanty has expressed concern over the increasing dropout rates, stating that students are the future of the country and immediate action should be taken to encourage them to stay in school. He also suggests that there should be hostel facilities in every school in the tribal-dominated district, and students should be taught in their local language. This, along with a focus on quality education, can help reduce the dropout rates in the district.
When contacted, District Education Officer Basant Kumar Nayak stated that the department is working towards reducing the dropout rate and has successfully brought back 427 dropouts to school. The Block Education Officers have been directed to continue their efforts and bring more dropouts back to school. It is crucial to address this issue and ensure that every child in Rayagada has access to quality education, as they are the future of our nation.
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