Still too many children out of school (Education and deprived communities)

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Still too many children out of school (Education and deprived communities)

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• What is the number of out-of-school kids? As per 2011 Census, 8.4 crore children in 5-17 age group were out-of-school! But a 2014 survey by HRD Ministry put the number of 6-13 age group out-of-school children at 60.64 lakh only. Is such a reduction even possible?
• Another estimate: Based on the 71st round of NSS 2014, for the 6-18 age group, the number was estimated at 4.5 crore. That is 16.1% of all children. In large states, about one-fifth of all children were out-of-school. So 10 years after the Right to Education Act was enacted, and 16 years after RTE was made a fundamental right, so many kids are out-of-school.
• Rural versus Urban: While 17.2% rural kids were out, only 13.1% urban kids were. Girls outnumbered boys. Maximum were kids from SC and ST, followed by OBCs. By religion, Muslims had 24.1% rural and 24.7% urban kids out-of-school. The trend is clear.  [ What? ]
• Low-income, landless, marginal families: Surveys show that such families suffer maximum out-of-school instances. Having poor parents, or uneducated parents, is another major factor.
• Reasons for dropping out: Boys do it to supplement family incomes. Girls do it to participate in household work. This seems to be an All India phenomenon. As per law (RTE Act and Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act), these are child labourers. India does have the largest no. of child labourers in the world.
• Gender bias: The clear gender bias means that far more girls are out-of-school than boys. Fewer take private coaching as well. Larger number of girls drop out after Class 10. Expenses on girls is lower than that on boys. Clearly, RTE Act provisions aren't really implemented.
• What did RTE Act say? By April 2015, all provisions were to be implemented. At primary level, a school must be made available at a distance of 1 km from child's residence, and 3 km at upper primary level. All this (if done) could have eliminated a big reason for dropping out.
• Most important reason: Socio-economic status of parents remains the biggest reason. It needs a more comprehensive approach to resolve. RTE Act cannot tackle that.
• Secure modes of subsidised travel for girls: Until the distance parameters are met, we need to provide this. We also need to think of giving financial support to poor parents to help send kids to schools.
• Awareness: Parents must be made aware that education is important for kids, and that it is a legal right now! Education itself is needed to create this awareness.
• Summary : After a decade since the RTE Act came into being, a large number of children are out-of-school, largely from the poor and marginalised communities.

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