PANAJI
The State has witnessed a decrease in the enrolment of students at high school (VIII to X) level during the academic year 2016-17 as against last year, according to data released by the State Directorate of Education.
The enrolment at high school level has witnessed a decrease from 74,641 students in 2014-15 to 73,555 students in 2015-16, and furthermore to 71,789 in 2016-17.
However, compared to last year, the enrolment at primary level (Std I-IV) has seen an jump of 912 students compared to last year, with the total enrolment being 96,467. Interestingly, this is the first increase in the last four years since 2012-13 as the enrolment had reduced from 98,718 to 95,555 in the last four years.
The total number of students enrolled between Std I to Std X is 2,39,418 students.
Speaking to The Goan, an official of the Education Department said, “One of the reasons for decrease in the enrolment at high school level could be due to migration of people outside the State owing to transfers. Another reason could be the closure of mining. With the blanket ban on mining operations in the State since 2012, many migrant workers have left the State and settled in their villages.”
When asked about the increase in enrolment at primary level, he replied, “It could be because of high birth rate during the corresponding year. Additionally, it could also be because of the facilities the government is providing like food grains and mid-day meals.”
He, however, related the increase or decrease in enrolment to the floating population of migrants in the State.
Another educationist, however, pointed out that the dropout rate in the State has increased from 28.40 during the academic year 2014-15 to 31.10 in 2015-16.
“During the meeting of the Project Approval Board (PAB), the State was asked to initiate steps to decrease the dropout rate. Many students leave school as they are unable to cope up. While some manage to join ITI courses, some prefer to take up jobs. This could be a reason for decrease in enrolment at high school level,” he said.
However, former chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Pandurang Nadkarni pointed out that migration could be a reason for decreasing enrolment.
“Goa’s rate of migration is very high. With mining operations coming to a standstill, families in the mining belt must have migrated back to their villages, especially in the areas of Sanguem, Quepem and Sattari, among others.
He also pointed out that due to the no-detention policy, students manage to pass Std VIII but are unable to cope up thereafter.
“In some schools, the rate of detention is as high as 30-40 per cent, while in some cases it varies between 5-15 per cent,” he said.
***
DECLINING NUMBERS
- 74,641 students in 2014-15
- 73,555 students in 2015-16
- 71,789 students in 2016-17
PROBABLE REASONS
- Floating population of migrants
- Weak students opting for ITI courses, jobs
