Assam's Education System: Progress and Challenges in School Retention

Overview of Educational Facilities in Assam

Guwahati, May 11: While Assam has made significant strides in foundational educational facilities such as electricity, computers, and sanitation, it still struggles with high school dropout rates, ranking among the lower-performing states in India.

Electricity and Sanitation Improvements

Over the past decade, Assam has seen notable improvements in electricity access in schools, with coverage rising from 20.1% to 88.8%. This is part of a broader trend, with states like Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha also showing substantial gains. The national average stands at 91.9%, according to a report by Niti Aayog titled ‘School Education System in India’.

Toilet Facilities and Computer Access

Assam has also improved its sanitation facilities, with functional boys’ toilets increasing from 40.3% to 93.6% and girls’ toilets from 65.9% to 94.3%. Additionally, the availability of computers in schools surged from 9.8% to 78.7%, and internet connectivity expanded dramatically from 1.3% to 87.2%. Despite these advancements, the state continues to face challenges with student retention and transition rates.

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) Concerns

Assam's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level is among the lowest in the country at 43.5%, despite an increase from 28.55% in 2014-15. The national average for 2024-25 is 58.4%, with Chandigarh and Puducherry showing much higher ratios.

Transition Rates from Upper Primary to Secondary

From 2014 to 2024, Assam's transition rate from upper primary to secondary education improved from 83.82% to 87.3%. However, the transition from secondary to higher secondary remains low at 61.4%, surpassing only a few states like Meghalaya and West Bengal.

Dropout Rates in Primary and Upper Primary Education

While 22 states and Union Territories report minimal dropout rates in primary education, Assam faces challenges with a 3.8% dropout rate. In upper primary education, Assam's dropout rate stands at 5.0%, amidst varying rates across the country.

Secondary Education Dropout Rates

The dropout rates for secondary education in 2024-25 reveal alarming trends, with Assam's rate at 17.5%. In contrast, states like Chandigarh and Kerala have managed to keep their rates significantly lower.

Gender Disparities in Education

Although the GER for girls at the secondary level in Assam increased from 74.95% to 89.7%, it still falls short of the expected threshold. At the higher secondary level, the GER for girls is recorded at 47.4%, indicating a deficiency that needs to be addressed.