Girls Forced to Drop Out of Schools

August 1, 2026

These years of the 21st century are considered the years of women’s awakening, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in India. Times have changed. Gone are the days when it was said that women’s work was confined to the kitchen and men’s work outside the home. Now, women are seen working tirelessly both at home and outside. Even in the achievements of space missions, the contributions of women scientists are no less than those of men. Women are also at the forefront of India’s competition in the robotic and semiconductor eras. Women’s hard work is becoming a national asset. However, when we look closely at the women’s education campaign in India, what is happening is not very reassuring. The roots of education, knowledge, and competence begin at the school level. The education received in good schools is useful throughout life. Looking at primary school education, we find that despite 100% enrolment rates for both boys and girls, most girls drop out by the middle grades. The problem of girls dropping out of school increases in grades 9 and 10 across different states. While the country dreams of becoming digital, girls are deprived of education by the time they reach grade 10. The number of girls also declines in higher grades. Therefore, the dream of achieving the collective strength of boys and girls begins to lag behind. Girls’ dropout rates are high not only in poor states but also in prosperous states. Ladakh has a 15.6 percent rate, followed by Assam and Karnataka at 13.9 percent, Gujarat at 13.3 percent, and Arunachal Pradesh at 12.4 percent. Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Karnataka, show similar trends in school dropout rates. This appears to be due to girls leaving education to supplement household income, help with household chores, or due to parental indifference. Other factors, including the distance of secondary schools from home, safety concerns, and early marriage, also contribute to the increase in girls’ dropout rates. The solution is to change the social environment. Parents’ attitudes toward girls’ marriage must change. The government has a responsibility to address their safety concerns. Only when this is accomplished will women be able to contribute equally to the nation’s progress