At the primary level, 3.72% of Muslim boys drop out compared to 3.22% of girls. In consequence, although the retention rate is lower for Muslim girls compared to Muslim boys, there are still more Muslim girls studying at the upper primary, secondary and higher secondary levels compared to Muslim boys
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Only 76.37% of Muslim students continue to the next level of education after the elementary level. The percentage is well short of the national average which stands at 81.2%, a new analysis of the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE Plus) has said.
Muslim students are more likely to drop out of school at the elementary level (Classes 1 to 8) than all communities taken together, according to the analysis.
The UDISE Plus data – published by the Ministry of Education – contains a brief analysis of school education at the all-India level and also state-specific statements for all states and Union Territories.
An analysis of the UDISE Plus (also, UDISE+) 2021-22 data, titled State of Muslim Education in India, by educationist Arun C. Mehta found that only 76.37% of Muslim students continue to the next level of education after the elementary level as compared to the national average of 81.2%. Mehta was at the helm of the DISE project while it was managed by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), from 2002 to 2017-18. Since then, it has been handled by the Ministry of Education, a Careers360 website report said recently.
The analysis found that the retention rate, already low for Muslims, is lower still for Muslim girls as only 72.78% stay in school compared to 80.23% of Muslim boys.
“Overall, girls demonstrated higher retention rates at primary and elementary levels, showcasing their educational commitment. However, there is a concerning trend among Muslim students, where female retention rates were notably lower. Addressing this gender disparity is crucial for fostering equal education opportunities,” Mehta’s report said.
The UDISE Plus analysis also revealed that except at the primary level, more Muslim girls are enrolled in schools than boys at all other levels. It showed that there is a greater gender parity when it comes to enrolment among the Muslim population as compared to the national average.
The analysis showed that the Gender Parity Index (GPI) for Muslim girls is above 1 at upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels which indicates that more girls are enrolled than boys. Moreover, the national total GPI is only 0.93 compared to 0.99 among Muslims.
A GPI score less than 1 means that there are more boys enrolled and a score greater than 1 means that there are more girls enrolled.
Mehta also found that although more Muslim boys are enrolled at the primary level than Muslim girls, the dropout rates of boys are also higher than girls. At the primary level, 3.72% of Muslim boys drop out compared to 3.22% of girls. In consequence, although the retention rate is lower for Muslim girls compared to Muslim boys, there are still more Muslim girls studying at the upper primary, secondary and higher secondary levels compared to Muslim boys, the Careers360 report said.
According to the analysis, Muslim girls account for 48.68% of all enrolled Muslim students at the primary level but the percentage of girls increases to 50.20% at the upper primary level, 50.91% at the secondary level and 52.42% at the higher secondary level.
“The data indicates that Muslim girls enrolled in the education system are more likely to progress from primary to upper primary and subsequent levels; this contrasts with boys, where even though more are enrolled in primary grades, their retention and transition to higher levels of education are not as consistent. This suggests that specific attention should also be given to addressing the barriers preventing boys from continuing their education beyond the primary level,” the analysis said.
There is also a faster increase in the number of female students enrolling in higher education among the Muslim population as compared to the national picture, it said.
“This trend indicates a growing interest and determination among female Muslim students to pursue higher education, showcasing the positive impact of efforts to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the education system,” it said.
