62 per cent Kids Drop Out By Class X: Fatmi

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) Of a hundred enrollees, 32 drop out by class V, 52 by class VIII, and 62 by class X over factors ranging from toilets to education quality, Parliament was told today.

''Both socio-economic and school related factors affect the drop-out rates,'' Minister of State for Human Resource Development M A A Fatmi said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

He said these included a lack of such infrastructure as toilets and hostels and conservative social attitude the Ministry was trying to tackle through a multi-pronged approach.

Mr Fatmi was answering questions raised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) member from Tripura Matilal Sarkar.

The latest data on percentage of dropouts he cited pertained to 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05: -- 34.9 31.5 and 29.0 for Primary classes respectively; -- 52.8 52.3 and 50.8 for Elementary classes respectively; -- 62.6 62.7 and 61.9 for Secondary classes respectively.

Mr Fatmi said the government was trying to strengthen schools and education quality with better infrastructure and grants and by hiring new teachers and giving them training and academic backup.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan also entails flexible schooling for dropouts, older children or children in difficult circumstances and special provisions for girls, children from disadvantaged sections and those with special needs, he said.

The Central government is committed to making quality secondary education available, accessible and affordable to all young persons, he said.

UNI