2024 RTE Retention Survey Reveals 93.2% Retention Rate, Highlights State-Specific Trends in Social Inclusion

Odisha, while demonstrating strong retention, exhibited the highest dropout rates and financial discomfort among parents. ST applicants had the lowest retention rates: 78.3% (2021-22) and 86% (2022-23).

The 2024 RTE Retention Survey reports a 93.2% retention rate under Right to Education (RTE), with Uttarakhand showing the highest response rates and Chhattisgarh leading in retention. Odisha, while demonstrating strong retention, exhibited the highest dropout rates and financial discomfort among parents. These state-specific insights underscore the diverse challenges and progress in social inclusion across India.

Indus Action, in collaboration with Georgetown University, USA, and students from the Masters in International Development Policy (MIDP) program, has launched the 2024 RTE Retention Survey. This survey aims to enhance the understanding of retention rates and social inclusion for children admitted to schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. It was conducted across Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha.

This survey examines child retention and discrimination among two cohorts of RTE students: 2021-22 and 2022-23. It tracks dropout trends, compares retention rates, and assesses social and financial discrimination, enabling longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis over multiple years.

The expansion of private schools has transformed India's educational landscape, with 45% of primary students now enrolled in private institutions. This growth has created an "active educational marketplace," even in rural areas, but has also led to de facto segregation due to varying school fees and selective admissions. The Right to Education Act of 2009 was passed to promote educational equality and social inclusion, mandating that private unaided schools reserve 25% of seats for economically weaker and disadvantaged children.

Tarun Cherukuri, Co-Founder and CEO of Indus Action, emphasized the importance of ensuring that families earning less than Rs. 10,000 ($135) monthly have full access to welfare entitlements for quality education, health, and livelihoods. He noted the significance of executing the Right to Education in a country where 890 million citizens live below the poverty line and where over 500 schemes often fail to deliver impactful results.

Indus Action has been investigating the retention and social inclusion of children admitted under RTE 12(1)(c) since 2017. This study assesses the effectiveness of this provision and the suitability of private schools for disadvantaged children. The research aims to provide deeper insights into the educational status and challenges these students face, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the provision's impact.

Key findings of the 2024 RTE Retention Survey include:

Retention Rates: The 2022-23 cohort had a retention rate of 93.2%, while the 2021-22 cohort had a rate of 86.5%. Girls showed higher retention than boys in the 2021-22 cohort (92.8% vs. 81.8%), but the rates were nearly equal in the 2022-23 cohort (93.4% vs. 92.9%).

Response Rates: Overall, the survey had a response rate of 67%. The 2021-22 cohort had a higher response rate (73%) than the 2022-23 cohort (61%). State-wise response rates for 2021-22 were Chhattisgarh (74%), Uttarakhand (73%), and Odisha (58%). For 2022-23, Uttarakhand had 66%, Chhattisgarh 63%, and Odisha 54%.

Dropout and School Switching: The dropout rate was 0.5% for both cohorts. School switching was higher in the 2021-22 cohort (13.2%) compared to the 2022-23 cohort (6.3%). Students switched to government, private aided, and private unaided schools equally.

Financial Status: 45% of the 2021-22 cohort and 48% of the 2022-23 cohort have siblings in private schools not via RTE 12(1)(c). 22% of parents in the 2022-23 cohort pay school-related fees, and 46% are uncomfortable with these fees.

Category of Application: ST applicants had the lowest retention rates: 78.3% (2021-22) and 86% (2022-23).

Social and Financial Discrimination: Most parents (more than 90%) did not report explicit social discrimination against their children. 95.7% of parents agreed that their children enjoyed school, 93.3% said that teachers paid attention, and 98.5% reported positive peer experiences.

Parental Engagement: 55.1% of parents engaged with teachers monthly, and 26.6% did so more than once a month. 94.1% agreed that teachers inquired about absenteeism, and 95.4% agreed that their children had friends from wealthier households.

The survey, conducted from March to April 2024, included 4,540 parents and guardians, stratified by state and gender, with a response rate of 67%. The findings highlight the progress towards social integration under RTE 12(1)(c) while identifying areas for further improvement.

Mithilesh Mishra, Director of Primary Education in Bihar, welcomed Indus Action's efforts, noting the increased transparency and satisfaction among parents, teachers, and private school associations in Bihar. He expressed optimism that student intake and retention would improve with these developments.