Reversing Dropout Trend

Once again, girls have outperformed boys in both the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) examinations for 2026 conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), the results of which were announced last week. In the HSLC exams, girls achieved a pass percentage of 72.72%, compared to boys' 71.30%. Similarly, in the HSSLC exams, girls excelled over boys across all three streams—Arts, Commerce, and Science. They also dominated in the merit rankings for both Class 10 and Class 12 examinations. This has become a recurring trend not only in the state but also across India, be it CBSE, ICSE or state board assessments. In Nagaland, girls have not only outperformed boys in board exams but have also demonstrated lower dropout and repetition rates at all levels of education—primary, upper primary, elementary, secondary, and higher secondary—between 2021 and 2024, according to the latest official data issued by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. This impressive performance is encouraging and aligns with the central government's commitment to empowering girls through initiatives and programmes such as the Right to Education Act (RTE), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV). However, the national scenario presents a different picture, as studies indicate that girls, particularly those from marginalised communities, experience higher dropout rates than their male counterparts, particularly in higher education. This underscores the urgent need to tackle gender-based discrimination rooted in cultural and social norms, poverty, and patriarchal mindsets.

In Nagaland, boys have a notably higher dropout rate in higher secondary education compared to girls. The dropout rates for boys were recorded at 24.27 per cent in 2021–22, 10.37 per cent in 2022–23, and again 24.27 per cent in 2023–24. These figures are significantly higher than those of their female counterparts in the state. This trend raises many important questions: Why are boys increasingly falling behind? Is it due to a lack of interest in studies or a lack of motivation because of limited employment prospects? Or is it because of peer influence or bad habits including substance abuse? It is perplexing because boys are perceived to have greater access to education in a patriarchal society like ours. Whatever the reason, this alarming trend must be addressed with the same enthusiasm as the support for girls' education. A generation of undereducated men poses risks of social instability, income disparity, and several other challenges. To arrest this concerning trend, the government should consider implementing targeted interventions similar to those designed for girls and also introduce skill-oriented courses, such as vocational training and entrepreneurship. The high dropout rate among boys is a pressing issue that requires attention.