M M Jasim :
About three lakh students have “dropped out” from the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations, the Education Ministry sources said.
As many as 13,03,786 students registered their names under 10 education board, but only 10,18,411 examinees are taking part as regular students. As a result 2, 85,375 students have dropped out.
But actually, a total of 13,11,457 students are taking part in the HSC and its equivalent examinations under the 10 education boards this year.
A total of 2,80,842 irregular students are also sitting for the examinations in one, two or all subjects.
Under the eight education boards, 40,257 irregular students, who totally failed, will again appear in all the subjects, 48,880 in two subjects and 1,55,054 in one subject. Taking part in one or two subjects mean that they did not pluck totally.
Meanwhile, a total of 13,719 students were absent under the 10 education boards on the first day of the HSC and its equivalent examinations. As many as 89 students were expelled for irregularities in the examinations’ halls.
According to academics, financial problem, social deterioration and erroneous education system are behind the drop out.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said, there are various realities behind the causes of drop-out, especially in the rural areas, because of cultural and financial reasons. “The dropout is higher, especially among girls students, in the rural areas. When they grow up, they are not allowed to go out of their villages, this results in dropouts,” he said.
The Minister added they are taking steps to decrease the drop-out rate by giving free books, scholarships, stipend, food and other facilities.
“The number of students is increasing, but at the same time the dropout rate is increasing. It will be reduced when financial development and awareness will increase,” he said.
As per the statistics of the Ministry, 10,70,705 students registered their names under the eight general education boards, but 8,38,014 are taking part in the HSC examinations. As a result, as many as 2,32,691 students have dropped out. Under the Madrasa board, 1,16,182 students registered, but only 79,802 will take part in the examinations. Under the Technical board 1,16,899 students registered, but 1,00,595 are sitting for the examinations.
Professor Shahan Ara Begum, Principal of Motijheel Ideal School and College said, “The guardians arrange marriage of their daughters in the rural areas. Some students go for wage due to hardship in their families. The internet addiction also influences the students for their dropout.”.
