Pry dropout ups in Barisal

The number of primary dropouts in the district is increasing alarmingly despite several government programmes to check the rate.
According to Barisal Primary Education Office sources, so far 29,509 students out of 77,845 who enrolled in Class I in 2005, appeared in this year's primary education terminal examination of Class V. At this, the number of dropout students stands at 48,336 (62%), the sources added.
But, unofficial sources claimed the number of dropout rate is much higher than the official figure.
Md Idris, Barisal district primary education officer, said they are yet to develop any updating system for monitoring year or class wise regular enrolment and dropout data.
After collecting information and visiting a good number of primary schools in the district, this correspondent found that although around 50 students on an average enrolled in Class I at each school, less than 50 per cent of them appeared in Class V final examinations in last three years.
The sources revealed that the dropout rate of boy students is higher than girl students because of various reasons including abject poverty.
The government sanctioned per head Tk 100 a month for 40 percent students of all primary schools on condition of securing 65 percent attendance in the class to check the dropout rate.