PRIMARY SCHOOL DROP OUTS IN INDIA

School drop out is a major problem in India even after her sixty second Independence Day celebrations. No matter how much emphasis is given on education, knowledge, and literacy the drop out is a continuing process adding up to the huge population of drop outs. .This is one of the most fearful aspects of the practice of education in India. Because the drop outs not only spoil their present and future but also throw their families in agony. The aim of the paper is to identify the factors that children in the age group of 6-14 might be at risk of dropping out. The earlier the risk of dropping out can be detected, the greater the chance of prevention. Detecting the early signs that a child may be at risk of dropping out can make a valuable contribution toward ensuring that all children have access to opportunities for further education past the primary school level. Drop outs on interrogation cite various reasons for dropping out and each one is closely examined. The authors have tried to find out the main factors causing drop outs at the primary school level across the nation where a comparative study among the states / UTs have been conducted as shown through chart diagram. Many programmes have been adopted by the government to reduce the drop outs. But still the number is not reducing significantly in rural areas. The authors also recommend some strategies for drop out prevention at the government, school, guardian / parent and community level along with a collaborative effort. These strategies have been successfully experimented at all education levels and environments throughout the world in today’s educational arena. It’s simply not enough to tell the children the benefit of an education but they should be guided into the proper direction. The most important thing is the maintenance of communication among student, school, guardian government & community so that the risk of dropping out of a student can be identified well ahead to really make a difference in the outcome.