A Concise Version of Solutions to the Problem of Drop-outs in Remote Rural Schools

Solutions for Female Students 

A preference for male children is another malady prevalent in the Indian Culture. Such biased attitudes have led many, especially the rural and economically poor groups to believe that education of girls/women is inconsequential. However, as Viren has suggested, sensitization of parents towards importance of girl child education is the need of the hour. Inspirational female role models such as Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal, Kalpana Chawla can be used to motivate girls to attend school and retain them in schools.
 Nida argues that one of the chief reasons for female students dropping out is the lack of proper toilets. The school must therefore construct toilets with running water and hygienic conditions if they wish to retain female students in school after they hit puberty.
To add to the list of solutions, I, Taronish, am of the opinion that girls must be provided safe transit to and from home and school. I state this because, very often parents,especially in rural areas are afraid to send their girls to school because of increasing incidents of sexual abuse against girls. There are numerous instances where girls are sexually assaulted when on the way to or from home and school.
Another way of minimising drop-outs of female students is to provide variety of vocational courses such as weaving/knitting/tailoring/baking. These courses equip girls with skills which can be used to augment their family's income.

Solutions for Reserved Category

As Viren has pointed out, the caste system, extant in our society is an evil manifestation. However we teachers must make a conscious effort to eliminate this. This change must start from ourselves, from within our minds and hearts. If we as teachers practice equity and fairness in our daily lives, our students will automatically imbibe these values from us. Viren also touched upon the idea that a slow but necessary change must be brought about in the attitudes of parents towards education. This can be done by showing parents the importance of education and strength of unity. 

Nida added to this list of solutions by suggesting that rural schools must impart knowledge through instruction in the mother-tongue.

In addition to these solutions, I, Taronish, also feel that discrimination against the reserved category students is a major cause of the high drop-out rates. Three methods of reducing such discrimination and making the school environment comfortable so as to reduce drop-out rates, would be Uniformity, Dignity of Labour and Assembly time. A sense of equality can be achieved when all students irrespective of Caste, wear the same uniform provided by the school to all students. The second method consists of imparting to all students the Dignity of Labour, which may be achieved by participation of all students, irrespective of caste, in maintaining cleanliness of school premises (i.e. cleaning the classrooms and toilets). Thirdly, the morning assembly must include prayers of all religions and every child irrespective of caste must be taught and made to recite the prayers.