Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded a steady rise in gross enrolment ratio (GER) of girls at the secondary level over the last three academic years, but the dropout rate continues to remain high, 12.6% in 2024-25, well above the national figure of 9.6%, according to govt data.In response to a query by MP Sumitra Balmik on the increase in GER of girls and OBC students, minister of state for education Jayant Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that Odisha’s GER for girls at the secondary level increased from 80.8% in 2022-23 to 82.6% in 2023-24 and further to 85% in 2024-25. This upward trend was higher than the national average, which stood at 80.2% in 2024-25, after fluctuating over the same period.Officials attributed the improvement to govt interventions such as scholarships, free bicycles, hostel facilities for tribal girls, and others. “There is greater awareness now about girls’ education, and parents are more willing to ensure their daughters complete matriculation compared to a decade ago,” said Rajalaxmi Behera, a school official in Khurda.Despite the enrolment gains, dropout rates continue to pose a challenge. According to data tabled by Chaudhary, Odisha’s dropout rate for girls at the secondary level fell from 16.1% in 2022-23 to 11.3% in 2023-24, but rose again to 12.6% in 2024-25, indicating that enrolment did not translate into sustained retention.RTE activist Anil Pradhan cited migration, early marriage and domestic responsibilities as key factors for the high dropout rate. “Many girls drop out before or after Class IX due to seasonal migration. In several cases, they are burdened with caring for younger siblings or household work while parents are away,” he said.In contrast, states such as Bihar and Jharkhand recorded sharp reductions in dropout rates in recent years. Bihar reduced its secondary level dropout rate from 25.1% in 2023-24 to 6.8% in 2024-25, while Jharkhand brought it down from 15.1% to 2.4% during the same period.Officials in the directorate of secondary education said steps are being taken to bring dropouts back through re-enrolment drives and open schooling. Experts, however, stressed that stronger community engagement was crucial to prevent girls from leaving school.
