The Secretary of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Human Resource Development Anshu Vaish released the report-- Elementary School Dropout in Nagaland-- yesterday in Kohima.
The survey was carried out on elementary school dropouts in various government schools across Nagaland. Altogether, 2460 teachers besides 1600 parents were included in the sample survey and 520 drop-outs gave their reason for giving up studies.
The report disclosed Kiphire district had the highest percentage of dropouts with 13 per cent, while Longleng district marked the lowest percentage of dropouts out with 3.5 per cent.
Dropout rates at other districts are-- in Wokha 4.2 per cent, Mokokchung 4.6 per cent, Kohima 4.9 per cent, Peren 5 per cent, Phek 5.2 per cent, Tuensang 8.9 per cent, Dimapur 9.7 per cent, Zunheboto 10.4 per cent and Mon 11.5 per cent. The report also stated that survey was conducted after a gap of 10 years, adding the present findings of dropout rate of 7.14 per cent may be tentatively accepted, until another further study is conducted.
The report further gave a ten-point suggestion, made to reduce and prevent dropout rates, strengthening of adult education programme by providing basic education to the parents regarding child development, family planning, economic improvement techniques etc.
It suggested trained teachers should be appointed and a minute review of curriculum and textbooks should be conducted.
The report stated the common factors for dropouts were engagement in domestic and field works, lack of support from parents, poverty, shortage of teachers, discouraging school environment and lack of facilities in school, problem relating to medium of instructions, under-qualified and untrained teachers and wrong system of evaluation process.