
By - Dr. Asangba Tzudir
High out-of-school rate for boys in Nagaland was a key finding of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024. The nationwide field-based survey which was facilitated by pratham, was conducted in 329 villages across 11 districts of the state where the educational status of 10,056 children in the age group of 3-16 were assessed. This finding also attests to the fact that girl students have not only outnumbered boy students in number but also in the final board results over the years.
On an average research has found that girls tend to develop language skills slightly earlier and faster than boys. Girl’s brain mature slightly faster in areas related to language and communication, and which is also seen through their social interactions. While these are aspects that may even out with time, the recent survey which reveals a high out-of school rate for boys presents a serious case and worthy of reflection since it is going to have significant and long lasting effects.
Our state today is grappling with the problem of unemployment. There are problems arising out of the situation of educated and unemployed, then educated and unemployable. Then the more problematic case is the one presented by the increasing number of uneducated youths, a number which is on the rise due to factors like high drop-outs without getting even the basic education.
Talking about gainful employment for school drop-outs, they will generally earn less and especially if they are not skilled in any field of activity. Schools are no more focused on academic knowledge but due emphasis is given to skills development. As such, more than the educated unemployed or even the educated unemployable, the drop-outs may experience longer periods of unemployment besides the larger effects on their social mobility.
The high rate of drop-outs among boys in schools will also create a gender imbalance in colleges where females clearly outnumber male students. The same will have effect workplaces, and where a particular workplace has clearly defined gendered roles, the gender imbalance will be deeply felt. The whole issue of gender equality is taking a u-turn by way of gender imbalances in various integral spaces mainly education sector.
This situation call for some targeted interventions towards reducing the rate of school dropouts among student’s especially male students. It requires a collective responsibility where extra sacrificial efforts from teachers, students, school managing board as well as parents. While it is pertinent to see the reasons for the high drop-out, often, it also arises due to lack of finding oneself and thereby in need of motivation. As such, giving mentoring programs, vocational training and offering flexible learning options becomes a necessity.
Now, another problem is witnessed in the last few years following the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been a witness to drastic change in learning attitudes among school students where mobile phones have enslaved then and created such a distraction and which requires no elaboration. Their engagement in other things through their phones other than academic knowledge and learning is only going to deepen the problem of reading, writing and communication skills, and these are quality traits required in anyone seeking employment, and also a reason for the term educated and unemployable.
All these issues and more are only going to have an adverse effect on the overall growth and development of our society in the long run.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir writes weekly guest editorial for the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)