Wastage and Non-Participation in Education:A Case Study of Andhra Pradesh

Evidence on wastage and non-participation at primary school level in the districts of Andhra Pradesh is presented, using retention ratios, non-participation rates, and work participation rates among children. Though there is an improvement in retention rates in 1980s, still many districts of the state have high incidence of educational wastage and non-participation. Results from micro level data show that in general the incidence of drop out and stagnation is high among girls, Harijans and backward districts compared to educationally advanced groups and regions. We assessed the linkages between educational wastage, non-participation and the socio economic indicators of households. Andhra Pradesh seems to have higher levels of non-participation in rural areas and among females. The work-participation rates (main workers) among children is also considerable in the districts of the state. A need to arrest these trends is imperative in order to achieve universalization of primary education.