Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Gujarat Faces Rising Secondary School Dropout Rates
Gujarat is facing a big problem with students dropping out of secondary school.
More than 15 out of every 100 students leave school before finishing secondary education.
This is much higher than the average for the whole country.
The government is trying to help by running programs to get students back to school, but many still drop out.
In primary school, almost all students stay, but in secondary school, many leave because they need to work, get married, or fail their exams.
There are also fewer girls in higher secondary school compared to boys.
The good news is that the number of schools with no students is going down.
Gujarat has a secondary school dropout rate of 15.7%, higher than the national average.
Net enrollment rate for higher secondary schools is 29.1%, lower than the national average of 41.1%.
Enrollment in higher secondary schools dropped from 40% in 2022-23 to 24% in 2024-25.
Primary schools have a zero dropout rate, but secondary schools see significant dropouts.
The number of zero-enrollment schools decreased from 63 to 58.
- Who
- Students in Gujarat
- What
- Rising dropout rates in secondary schools
- When
- 2025-26
- Where
- Gujarat, India
- Why
- Various factors including early marriage, financial needs, and exam failures
Government Initiatives
Persistent Challenges
Enrollment Programs
Government Initiatives
The government runs Shala Praveshotsav to improve enrollment.
Persistent Challenges
Despite efforts, dropout rates remain high.
Primary School Success
Government Initiatives
Primary schools have a zero dropout rate.
Persistent Challenges
Secondary schools see significant dropouts.
- Dropout Rate
- 15.7%
- Net Enrollment Rate (Higher Secondary)
- 29.1%
- Net Enrollment Rate (Girls, Higher Secondary)
- 29.6%
- National Average (Higher Secondary)
- 41.1%
- Zero-Enrollment Schools
- 58
