Nearly 10% of Delhi’s Children Out of School, Reveals Govt Survey

Out of the 2.21 lakh Delhi students out of school, 64,813 cite “financial constraints” as a reason.

Image used for representational purpose.

(Photo:PTI)

A Delhi Government survey, finalised in November 2020, has revealed that over two lakh children are “out of school”. Out of this, 64,813 are out of school, owing to “financial constraints”.

This survey was conducted between November 2018 and November 2019. According to The Indian Express, the survey is the “biggest of its kind” and has covered 1.02 crore people.

The report, according to The Indian Express, sheds light on the socio-economic composition of the city, including details on religion, caste, income, education, chronic illnesses, status of vaccination, employment and preferred modes of transport.   

It was reportedly ordered after three minor girls were suspected to have died from starvation in East Delhi’s Mandawali in July 2018.

What Does The Survey Reveal?

OUT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

According to The Indian Express, the survey reveals that 2,21,694 children (6 to 17 years old) were out of the school system, including 1,31,584 who had dropped out and 90,110 who had never attended school.

It further reads:

“The predominant reason for not attending school in the age group of 6-17 years is reported as financial constraint (29.2 percent)“. 

Further the report reflected, as many as 13.50 percent children were “engaged in domestic duties”, 12.17 percent said “desired education level achieved” was the reason, while 9.37 percent were said to be “engaged in economic activities”.

Among 0-6 years old, only 55.4 percent attended anganwadi centres, reported The Indian Express, citing the survey.

Among pregnant women, who were 18 years and older, only 47.15 percent were found to be attending these centres.

MONTHLY EXPENDITURE

According to The Indian Express, the survey revealed:

• 47.31 percent households in Delhi spent Rs 10,000-Rs 25,000 every month.
• 42.5 percent households in Delhi spent Rs 10,000 or below every month.
• 8.44 percent households in Delhi spent 25,000-Rs 50,000 every month.
• Only 1.66 percent households in Delhi spent over Rs 50,000 every month.

ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND INTERNET

The Delhi Government survey shows that only a little over 21 percent of the households surveyed used desktops and laptops.

However, among those who did, 80.15 percent had an internet connection.

HEALTH, VACCINATION, HOSPITAL USE, AND CHRONIC DISEASES

According to The Indian Express report, the survey shows that out of 9.5 lakh children falling in the 0-5 age bracket, 2.13 lakh had not received the vaccinations generally given to young girls.



The survey also showed that as high as 72.87 percent of the city’s population received treatment at government hospital and dispensaries. 



Further, as per the report, around 2.60 percent of the city’s total population was found to be “suffering from some kind of chronic illness”. Out of this, The Indian Express reported:

• 36.33 percent had diabetes (43.34 percent in central district).
• 21.75 percent had cardiac illnesses (including hypertension and blood circulatory disease).
• 9.17 percent had respiratory diseases.

MORE DETAILS

Among other things, the survey, further, reportedly revealed:

• The city’s overall average access to water was 70.98 percent. with significant variation in access for people from different parts of the city (only 37.75 percent in South East district, but 90 percent in Shahdara district).
• Of the 20.5 lakh households surveyed, 18.7 lakh had toilets, 1.22 lakh used community toilets and 11,497 depended on open defecation.
• More than 63 percent used buses for transport, and only 6 percent relied on the metro.

(With inputs from The Indian Express.)