Why no study yet into dropout rate among minority students, asks par panel

Concerned over the "high" dropout rate among students from minority communities, a parliamentary panel has expressed "displeasure" over delay by Minority Affairs Ministry in instituting a study into the reasons behind it.
In its report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment(2016-17), concerning the ministry of minorities affairs, expressed "disappointment" that despite its recommendations, the ministry has "not taken any step" in this direction during the last "one and half years".
An action taken report submitted by the ministry to the committee stated that the process to hire an agency to know the reasons regarding dropout rates among all minority communities, including Muslims vis-a-vis other communities, at all levels of education, has been initiated.

"After finalisation of hiring and awarding the study work, the report will be furnished by the agency to the ministry within five months period," it said.
The 31-member committee chaired by Ramesh Bais "impressed" upon the ministry to complete the study in a definite time period and convey its outcome to it.
The committee was earlier informed that the National Productivity Council(NPC) has been approached for the study and its scope.

The terms of references of the study are being framed in consultation without the NPC. The council has been asked to submit the proposal for commissioning the study, the ministry informed the Committee.

However, the Committee "felt" that the process could have started "much earlier".
"It surprises that crore of rupees are being spent on the educational schemes for minorities by the ministry without knowing the reasons of high dropout rate among the minority students," the Committee observed.