CAN WE STOP DROP OUT ?

In the third world countries the number of drop out of students is quite alarming .Naturally the question that comes to mind is why such a thing happens , when we all understand the value of education?

Rural people have not shown adequate interest to participate in literacy development programmes which focus on literacy alone. This is because literacy alone has not improved their standard of living or income raising capacity. Sometimes even it is found that occupational skill development programmes have been conducted on the assumption that the skills acquired would enable participants to engage in gainful employment but it did not have any effective result. It is  because most found it difficult to become involved in income generating activities without follow-up support services for placement either in wage or self-employment. Even functional literacy can be grown along with various skill development for income generating programmes if follow-up services particularly  earning is ensured by providing  money or funds through easy bank loans (with rural people as shareholders) and marketing the products. This integrated approach has two benefits. Firstly, it encourages rural people to participate in literacy and post-literacy development programmes on a wider scale, secondly, it ensures their absorption in appropriate income generating activities.