Tamil Nadu's secondary school dropout rate is 7%

Tamil Nadu's secondary school dropout rate stands at 7%, according to new data from the Union Ministry of Education. This figure is an improvement from 10.3% in the previous year but is still higher than the national average of 10.9% and the global average of 13%. The dropout rate for primary and middle school students in Tamil Nadu has dropped to 0%. However, activists say more motivation and incentives are needed to keep students in secondary schools. The rate has seen fluctuations, going from 4% in 2021-22 to the current 7%. Boys have a higher dropout rate than girls, with 10.8% of boys leaving school compared to 4.4% of girls for the 2023-24 period. In 2014-15, the dropout rates were much higher, showing some improvement over time. To address the issue, the School Education department has been tracking students who have missed school using the Educational Management Information System (EMIS). They also conduct out-of-school surveys to find students who might need support. Experts like P.B. Prince Gajendra Babu emphasize that reasons for dropping out include the pursuit of vocational training, child marriage, and migration. They call for government collaboration with local organizations to motivate students to stay in school. Babu suggests that providing food programs, like breakfast and lunch, should be extended to higher secondary classes. He believes that adding evening snacks with local foods could help students succeed during critical exam periods.