Facts on Dropouts in China
Have a quick look at some facts on dropouts in China.
Low Attendance amongst the Labour Force
According to the report which was co-authored by Asian Development Bank and which was published in an academic journal known as China Quarterly, 76% of the Labour Force in China did not attend the high school. These numbers were drawn from the census that was conducted in the year 2010.
Reduction in the Rate of Graduates from High School
In the year 2015, the percentage of students graduating from middle school was 94.1% whereas the percentage of students graduating from the high school was 92.5%.
Migration of Parents
Migration of parents from rural areas to cities for earning additional income has an effect on the schooling of their children, which is one of the factors that is responsible for increasing number of school dropouts in China.
Dropouts in Villages
According to the research conducted by research organisations, one out of every three students in village dropout from school every year without completing the high school education. This accounts for an average of 3 million students from village dropping out of the school every year.
Higher Dropout Rate in Villages
As compared to developed regions, the number of children dropping out of schools from villages is higher. As per the reports published by Rural Education Action Project (REAP) involving Chinese Universities, Stanford University and Chinese Academy of Sciences, between 2007 to 2013 about 50% of students from less developed regions dropped out from the schools by 9th Grade. The rate at which the children dropped out by the 12th Grade was more critical as it comprised nearly two-third of children.
Unavailability of Qualified Staff
Unavailability of qualified staff is one of the reasons why children dropout from schools. As per the research conducted by Rural Education Action Project (REAP) the rate of dropout is double in the schools that lack qualified staff as compared to the schools that have qualified teachers having university degrees.
Lack of Proper Attention
Poor performers in schools did not get adequate attention as compared to students who did well in the academic. Therefore, these underperforming children are at higher risk of dropping out from schools due to the lack of right support from teachers. In fact such children are forced by teachers to quit so that performance of the teachers is not affected.
China’s System of Household Registration or HUKOU
China’s System of Household Registration or HUKOU makes it difficult for parents moving from rural areas to urban areas to earn more income to enrol their children in the city schools. As such they have to leave their children behind for completing schooling with their relatives or grandparents. Lack of parental involvement has an effect on their schooling which has become one of the causes for children dropping out from schools.
Effects on Employment
As 78% of the school going population of the country reside in villages, where the rate of dropout is higher as compared to the cities, the overall rate of employment in the country as well as the country’s economic development may get affected. This factor could also widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
