Concern in Lok Sabha over high Muslim dropout rate

A member in Lok Sabha on Monday voiced concern over high rate of school dropout among Muslim students and asked the government to take steps to contain it.

Participating in a debate on Demand for Grants for HRD Ministry, AIMIM member Assadudin Owaisi said the dropout rate among Muslims is high mainly because of financial considerations. "There is a need for containing dropout rate among Muslims," he said.

"When you (government) talk about sabka sath, sabka vikas (cooperation of all, development of all), you should focus on this also...We may be having political differences for which we are proud but we will cooperate with government on this," he said.

He said schemes for minorities should be made "demand-driven" so that literacy rate among them can be improved. Talking about Madrassa education, Owaisi said Rs 275 crore had been allocated last financial year but only Rs 144 crore had been released. He sought to know why the rest of the money was not released.

Owaisi also referred to 20 schemes announced for minorities and wondered how the government would be able to implement those in view of the implementation of 14th Finance Commission. The AIMIM leader also wanted to know the fate of Fatima Committee and Kundu Committee, which had given reports with regard to OBCs and minorities in education, including a recommendation for giving reservation in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

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