Indus Action launches the 2024 RTE Retention Survey
93.2% Retention Rate under admittance to Right to Education RTE 12(1)(c)
New Delhi: Indus Action, in collaboration with Georgetown University, USA, MIDP (Masters in International Development Policy) students, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 RTE Retention Survey. The survey aims to enhance understanding of retention rates and social inclusion of children admitted in schools under RTE 12(1)(c). It has been conducted across Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha.
This new survey by Indus Action (IA), an NGO that enables the implementation of the Right to Education, examines child retention and discrimination among two RTE student cohorts: 2021-22 and 2022-23. It tracks drop-out trends, compares retention rates cross-sectionally, and assesses social and financial discrimination, enabling longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis over multiple years.
The rapid expansion of private schools has significantly transformed India’s educational landscape. 45% of primary students are now enrolled in private institutions, compared to 19% in other low—and middle-income countries. This growth has created an “active educational marketplace,” even in rural areas. However, it has also led to de facto segregation due to varying school fees and selective admissions.
India passed the Right to Education Act of 2009 to promote educational equality and social inclusion. This act aims to promote equality by ensuring free, compulsory education for grades 1-8 and mandating that private unaided schools reserve 25% of seats for economically weaker and disadvantaged children.
Tarun Cherukuri, Co-Founder and CEO at Indus Action, says, “Our mission is clear: every family in India earning less than Rs. 10,000 ($135) monthly should have full access to welfare entitlements for quality education, health, and livelihoods. With 890 million citizens below the poverty line and over 500 schemes often failing to deliver impactful results, one of our key focus points is the execution and implementation of the Right to Education.
Recognising a significant gap in research on the retention and social inclusion of children admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act 12(1)(c), IA has been investigating these issues since 2017.
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of this provision and the suitability of private schools for disadvantaged children. To fully understand the lived experiences of these students, it is imperative to conduct qualitative research. This approach will provide deeper insights into the educational status and the challenges these students face, thus allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation of the provision’s impact.
The findings of the 2024 RTE Retention Survey are as follows:
- Retention Rates:
o 2022-23 cohort: 93.2% retention rate
o 2021-22 cohort: 86.5% retention rate
o Girls show higher retention than boys in the 2021-22 cohort (92.8% vs. 81.8%), but they are nearly equal in the 2022-23 cohort (93.4% vs. 92.9%).
- Response Rates:
o Overall: 67%.
o The 2021-22 cohort had a higher percentage (73%) than the 2022-23 cohort (61%).
o State-wise for 2021-22: Chhattisgarh (74%), Uttarakhand (73%), Odisha (58%).
o State-wise for 2022-23: Uttarakhand (66%), Chhattisgarh (63%), Odisha (54%).
- Dropout and School Switching:
o Dropout rate: 0.5% for both cohorts.
o Switching schools: Higher in the 2021-22 cohort (13.2%) vs. the 2022-23 cohort (6.3%).
o Students switched to government, private aided, and private unaided schools equally.
- Financial Status:
o 45% of the 2021-22 cohort and 48% of the 2022-23 cohort have siblings in private schools, not via RTE 12(1)(c).
o 22% of parents in the 2022-23 cohort pay school-related fees; 46% are uncomfortable with these fees.
- Category of Application:
o ST applicants had the lowest retention rates: 78.3% (2021-22) and 86% (2022-23).
- Social and Financial Discrimination:
o Most parents (more than 90%) do not report explicit social discrimination against children.
o 95.7% of parents agree that children enjoy school, 93.3% say that teachers pay attention, and 98.5% report positive peer experiences.
- Parental Engagement:
o 55.1% engage with teachers monthly, 26.6% more than once a month.
o 94.1% agree teachers inquire about absenteeism.
o 95.4% agree children have friends from wealthier households
Conducted from March to April 2024, the survey encompassed 4,540 parents and guardians, stratified by state and gender, with a response rate of 67%. Retention rates were 93.2% for the 2022-23 cohort and 86.5% for the 2021-22 cohort, with a dropout rate of 0.5% for both cohorts. Notably, students from the 2021-22 cohort switched schools at higher rates. Girls had higher retention rates than boys in the 2021-22 cohort, while rates were nearly equal in the 2022-23 cohort. Odisha and Uttarakhand exhibited higher retention than Chhattisgarh. The study identified low social discrimination and some financial discrimination, indicating progress towards social integration under RTE 12(1)(c). Future surveys will continue to explore these trends over time.
Mr. Mithilesh Mishra, Director Primary Education, Bihar says, “Regarding the status of RTE in implementation in the state of Bihar, I am very thankful that participants from Indus Action are working here. The team has visited many times, and this time, we have taken admission through online randomisation. We are hopeful that this number will increase as transparency has tremendously improved, and parents, teachers, and private school associations are very happy with this development.
I welcome team Indus Action’s study on the status of retention and the areas of improvement where we can improve student intake and retention.”