Overview

• The panel, chaired by Additional Secretary Krishna Baruah, brings together officials from DEE, DSE and SCERT alongside representatives from UNICEF and the Central Square Foundation.
• It will disaggregate dropout rates by class, gender, geography and socio-economic status to identify critical risk factors such as early marriage and poverty.
• Members will conduct field visits and stakeholder consultations with school authorities, NGOs and community leaders to inform their findings.
• The committee must submit a report to the Chief Minister by August 15 outlining the structure, quantum and rollout plan for a scheme modeled on the Nijut Moina stipend.
• UDISE 2023-24 data shows Assam’s secondary dropout rate at 19.46%, the second highest nationally, with completion rates for boys and girls both falling since 2019.