Priya, a 13-year-old from a small village in Jharkhand, loved mathematics and consistently topped her class of 30 students. Yet, her education came to an abrupt halt when she turned thirteen; not because of disinterest or inability, but due to the lack of safe and hygienic toilets in her school. Fearing for her safety, Priya’s parents, like many others in the village, decided to pull her out. Her story, though personal, mirrors the silent crisis unfolding across India, where basic infrastructural deficiencies force millions of children to abandon education.
Dropping out doesn’t just end a child’s formal education, it reinforces cycles of poverty and inequality. If India is to secure a better future for its young population, addressing the root causes of school dropouts must be a national priority.
The infrastructure gap leading to school dropouts
Often, the barriers to education are painfully basic. According to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), only 56% of schools in India have functional toilets for girls. For adolescent girls, this shortfall is not only inconvenient but dangerous, frequently leading to withdrawal from school. In rural India, nearly there is still a lack of safe drinking water, exposing children to illness and discouraging regular attendance.
Poor infrastructure—crumbling classrooms, lack of desks, unreliable electricity—sends a message: education is not a priority. Students across grades are often taught together due to space constraints, with schools lacking even the most basic amenities.
Where are the teachers?
The teacher-student ratio in many Indian schools is dismal. Several lack qualified educators for essential subjects, and existing teachers are burdened with administrative tasks, elections, and census duties. Add to this a lack of training and pedagogical support, and it’s no surprise that students fail to stay engaged.
When children receive little individual attention or instruction suited to their learning level, the system slowly pushes them out.
Poverty and patriarchy
Many families, especially in rural and urban poor communities, simply cannot afford to keep their children in school. Economic necessity compels them to involve children in work—whether in farms, factories, or homes. Often, the first to be pulled out are girls.
According to UNICEF, 34% of girls in India are married before the age of 18. Early marriage, domestic chores, and caregiving responsibilities are major contributors to the gender gap in education. Even when girls are enrolled, they are often the first to be withdrawn in times of financial stress.
Quality vs. access
Another growing concern is the quality of education. While enrolment numbers may be high, classroom experiences often fail to inspire. Government-funded schools frequently lack updated learning materials and struggle to compete with private institutions in terms of curriculum and engagement.
Children who do not see the relevance or value of their education are more likely to disengage and drop out. Over time, education becomes a burden rather than a bridge to opportunity.
What needs to change to stop school dropouts?
Tackling dropouts requires a holistic approach beginning with infrastructure. Ensuring access to clean toilets, safe drinking water, proper classrooms, and electricity should be non-negotiable. Programmes like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan must be expanded with a stronger focus on infrastructure and learning environment upgrades.
India also needs more qualified teachers with the time and support to focus solely on education. Regular training, incentives, and fair workloads are key. This investment must be paired with community-level engagement to raise awareness about the importance of education and to reduce parental resistance to sending children—especially girls—to school.
Economic barriers must be addressed through scholarships, free uniforms, textbooks, and mid-day meals. Technology should be used to supplement classroom learning, particularly in remote areas where teacher shortages persist. Digital classrooms, learning apps, and recorded lessons can bring continuity to children’s education.
What’s already working?
India has made progress. The Right to Education (RTE) Act guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14, boosting enrolment significantly. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has improved nutrition and attendance. Campaigns like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have pushed gender equity in school enrolment.
Development organizations, private foundations, and CSR-led interventions are playing a growing role. Organizations are investing in scholarships, remedial classes, school infrastructure, and teacher training—often filling gaps left by the public system.
Changing the narrative
Addressing dropouts is about giving every child a sense of worth and possibility. Priya’s story isn’t just about a missing toilet; it’s about missed potential. It reflects how a small gap in a system can grow into a life-altering detour.
Smile Foundation, for instance, works across India to bridge this very gap—bringing together education, community mobilization, and digital tools to help children stay in school and succeed. By investing in such integrated models, India can build a future where every child not only enters school but stays, learns, and thrives.
To break the dropout cycle, India must ensure that no child is left behind; not because they lacked ambition, but because they lacked a toilet, a teacher, or a chance.
