Dropout Problem of the Scheduled Caste Students in West Bengal: A Geographical Analysis

Abstract

National policy on education, various education committees and reports reiterated to implementation of free and compulsory elementary education. Right to Education Act (2009) has made education free and compulsory of children aged 6-14 to ensure Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE). But a country like India which is a mosaic of different castes, creeds and religions always remains a gap in the policy and the implementation at the grassroots level. Drop out remains a major impediment to achieving UEE Goal. West Bengal has a large portion of the Scheduled Caste population. Historically this community is deprived in terms of socio-economic development. The curse like drop out, also seen higher among these communities. In West Bengal, there has been a spatial variation of dropout of Scheduled Caste students. As the poor socio-economic condition is the major reason for the high dropout rate, the Government of West Bengal has taken various initiatives like Kanyashree, Sikhashrre to minimize the dropout rate but still, it has not been possible to achieve the zero drop out goal at school education.