The dropout rate of girls in schools has decreased but the dropout rate of tribal children remains a matter of concern for the government, said HRD minister Smriti Irani on July 23.
The drop-out rate of girls at primary level was 9.11 per cent in 2009-10 which has come down to little over 4 per cent in 2013-14, Irani told the Lok Sabha.
However, the dropout rate of tribal children remains a matter of concern for the government, she said.
Responding to a supplementary, the minister said infrastructure in schools including toilets and potable water has been discussed with state governments.
She said she has written to chief ministers on July 11 raising specific issues related to their respective states about Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
In reply to another supplementary, the minister said funds for education to states are decided after consulting respective governments and the allocation is not “unilaterally” done by the Centre.
She said chapter on gender sensitisation will be included in curriculum and the prime minister and the finance minister have stressed on it in the Lok Sabha during their speeches.
The minister said states are asked to follow best practices in education sector where Kerala and Tamil Nadu have done well.