BHUBANESWAR: The CAG has found serious gaps in the state’s efforts to retain children with special needs (CwSN) and girl students in schools. The findings indicated that despite several targeted interventions, thousands of vulnerable students continued to face systemic barriers affecting their participation and continuity in education.
According to the audit, of around 1.46 lakh CwSN enrolled across various classes in government schools during 2018-23, around 67,000 discontinued their studies during this period, with dropout rates fluctuating between 11 per cent and 35 per cent. The high dropout figures, the CAG observed, was due to persistent shortcomings in providing necessary support systems for CwSN.
“Although the government provides transport and escort allowances and stipends to CwSN girl students, 380 eligible children did not receive the benefits, while stipend payments to 477 eligible CwSN girls failed due to transfer of funds to dormant or incorrect bank accounts.
As many as 311 eligible CwSN students were not provided with assistive aids and appliances,” the audit found. The audit also pointed out the poor condition of KGBVs established for girls from SC, ST, OBC and minority communities in remote areas.