Over 9,900 Students Skip Matric Exams In Odisha; Absentee Rate At 1.81%
What are you doing? In a development that has raised concern among educationists and policymakers, as many as 9,930 students in Odisha did not appear for this year’s matriculation exams, with the overall absenteeism rate pegged at 1.81 per cent. According to School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, while 5,46,876 students registered for the exams, only 5,36,946 students eventually appeared for the exam.
The figures, presented in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Friday, have raised questions about the underlying causes of student absenteeism, including possible academic pressure, socio-economic constraints and logistical hurdles.
The state’s persistent infrastructure deficit further raises concern. The Minister informed the House of Representatives that 19,883 schools in Odisha currently lack basic classroom furniture such as desks and desks, forcing many students to sit on the floor during classes; This is a problem that underscores the gap in basic learning conditions.
Acknowledging these challenges, the government said it was taking steps to address both absenteeism and infrastructure deficiencies. Measures are being taken to provide basic furniture to affected schools, while efforts to improve student retention are being intensified.
Key initiatives include a statewide child monitoring survey aimed at identifying children who are out of school by age 18. The government is also using enrollment campaigns and awareness campaigns such as ‘Prabesh Utsav’, ‘Khadi Chhuan’ and ‘Asa School Jiba’ to encourage students to return to classrooms and continue their education.
The Minister emphasized that the reasons for the high number of absenteeism are currently being investigated. Although many cases have been attributed to personal circumstances, authorities maintain that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the examinations run smoothly.
As Odisha strives to strengthen its education system, the twin challenges of absenteeism and inadequate infrastructure remain critical areas that require sustained policy attention and targeted intervention.
