KOCHI: Dropout of students belonging to scheduled tribes continues unabated as 861 ST students dropped out of schools in state during 2019-20 alone, revealed a reply by the general education department to an RTI query. They constitute a whopping 21% of the total dropout of students from all communities in the same year.
The reply, secured by RTI activist Raju Vazhakkala, says that most of the dropouts are boys. Of the total 861 dropouts of ST students, 572 are boys. Wayanad tops the chart with the highest number of dropouts of ST students 466 in the year as Idukki and Palakkad kept close.
Though the state manages to bring down the number of dropouts, 2019-20 recorded a drop of total 4,012 students from all communities. It has been noted that most of the dropouts are reported in Class IX and X. Besides, Wayanad, Palakkad and Ernakulam witnessed more dropouts from all communities in the year.
From 2010-11 to 2019-20, as many as 18,408 ST students dropped out of schools, even though the number comes down every year.
A survey by the education department had found a series of reasons, including family issues, early marriage of girls, financial problems, taking care of siblings and lack of interest to study mathematics, English and science, for students dropping out. Among ST students, many go to collect seeds of coffee in the estates. Language barrier in schools bordering Karnataka and humiliation faced by physically challenged students are some other reasons for dropouts.
NGOs working among tribal communities noted that the ST students face discrimination from various corners and this dissuade them from continuing education. They say drop out increased during Covid-19 pandemic as many students could not access online classes.
“Dropout of ST students is not limited to schools alone. The issue is prevalent in higher education sector, including engineering and medical courses. When they fail in one or two subjects, they do not write it again. Mental health issues are another reason for dropping out,” said Ranjendraprasad of the NGO ‘Thampu’, which works among tribals in Attapadi.
