Rising Dropouts in Tribal Schools: A Growing Concern

There has been a significant increase in student dropouts at Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal children, rising from 111 in 2021-22 to 552 in 2024-25. Highest dropouts were reported in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. Efforts to mitigate this include digital classrooms and increased funding.

Student dropouts from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), created to provide quality education for tribal children, have surged alarmingly in recent years, with 552 cases logged in 2024-25, a stark rise from 111 in 2021-22, according to official reports.

The regions hit hardest by these dropout rates in the 2024-25 academic year include Chhattisgarh with 88 cases, Odisha close behind with 87, and Madhya Pradesh reporting 71 dropouts, as detailed by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey during a Lok Sabha session.

Efforts to address these rising numbers include initiatives like digital classrooms and substantial financial investments to bridge infrastructure gaps, with the government's funding for the EMRS scheme nearly quadrupling to Rs 4,748.92 crore in 2024-25, aiming to bolster learning outcomes and reduce dropouts.

(With inputs from agencies.)