231% rise in dropouts in Haveri district

HUBLI: Despite the implementation of a number of government schemes to keep children at school, Haveri district is seeing a worrying trend. A recent survey conducted by the department of education revealed that 4,623 students in the district dropped out of school in 2011-12, registering a 231% increase in just a year.
In 2010-11, the number of school dropouts in Haveri stood at 1,395.
The survey was conducted following orders from the state government.
Haveri taluk topped the list with 927 dropouts, said sources from the office of the deputy director of public instruction in the district. Close on its heels are Ranibennur taluk (904) and Savanur taluk (902). A total of 339 dropouts were identified in Byadagi taluk, 609 in Hangal, 369 in Hirekerur and 573 in Shiggaon.
Sources said a large number of children surveyed had to drop out of school primarily because of their family's financial condition. Many of them are either sent to work in cities or are told to help parents at farms, they added.
S B Kodli, deputy director of public instruction, Haveri district, said the department has sent plans to the director of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to bring children back to schools. "We have also enrolled 665 children by convincing their families to send them back to school. We are conducting various programmes like Chinnara Angala, tent school, mobile schools and residential schools to increase enrolment."
The government has introduced several programmes and schemes like midday meals, Ksheerabhagya, Chinnara Angala, free cycle distribution, Pratibha Karanji and educational tours to keep children at school.