At 21.7%, Meghalaya’s Dropout Rate in Class 9-10 highest in Northeast

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam Sangma has outlined the government measures to tackle the issue and improve educational standards.

At 21.7%, the dropout rate in Classes 9 and 10 in Meghalaya schools is the highest among Northeastern states, the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index report for 2023-24 said.

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has expressed serious concern and announced comprehensive measures to address the issue.

Sangma said that the Deputy Commissioners have been tasked with evaluating specific schools where performance is subpar. Researchers conducted extensive field visits across eight out of twelve districts, including West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, and Ri Bhoi.

The Education Department’s initiatives include changing school textbooks, renovating school buildings, and introducing new educational tools. Despite these efforts, the state’s dropout rates remain troublingly high, particularly in the Garo Hills region, where the SSLC pass percentage has averaged just 37% over the past five years.

In a recent review, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma emphasized the importance of improving education standards across the state. Additionally, the Education Minister mentioned the upcoming introduction of textbooks with QR codes in collaboration with the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE).

Meghalaya Tops NE India in Secondary School Dropouts

Meghalaya’s average annual dropout rate at the secondary level (class 9-10) is 21.7%, the highest in the North Eastern region and second highest in the country after Odisha’s 27.3%.

Assam’s dropout rate stands at 20.3%, Arunachal Pradesh at 11.7%, and Tripura at 8.3%. Himachal Pradesh has a dropout rate of just 1.5% while there are no dropouts in Classes 9 and 10 in Chandigarh schools, the report said.

Literacy Rates: Meghalaya and Other States

While addressing dropout rates, it is essential to consider the overall literacy scenario. Based on the 2011 Census, Meghalaya’s literacy rate stands at 74.43% and ranks 24th in the country among 28 states. The literacy rate is lower than several states but relatively higher compared to some others. Kerala leads with an impressive literacy rate of 93.91%, followed by Mizoram at 91.33% and Tripura at 87.22%. In contrast, states like Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%) and Bihar (63.82%) have lower literacy rates than Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s literacy rate is comparable to states like Assam (72.19%) and Odisha (72.87%), indicating a need for continued focus on educational improvements to reach the higher literacy levels observed in states like Kerala and Mizoram.

Why is High Dropout Rate A Concern?

• The high dropout rate at the secondary level directly affects the overall literacy rate. Students leaving school early result in a lower number of educated individuals, thereby reducing the overall literacy percentage.
• Secondary education is crucial for foundational literacy and skill development. Dropping out before completing this level means students miss out on essential knowledge and skills, further affecting their ability to contribute to the literate population.
• The dropout rates are notably high in districts such as Garo Hills, where the SSLC pass percentage is around 37% over the last five years. These regional disparities contribute significantly to the overall literacy rate.
• The government’s initiatives, such as changing school textbooks renovating school buildings and introducing educational tools aim to improve these aspects and are expected to have a positive impact on both dropout rates and literacy rates over time.

The state government remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes, ensuring that more students stay in school and complete their secondary education successfully , ultimately increasing the literacy rate.

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