Karnataka has over one lakh school dropout students aged above 15
In the current academic year, a total of 1,03,042 school dropout students above the age of 15 have been identified across Karnataka. Out of this
In the current academic year, a total of 1,03,042 school dropout students above the age of 15 have been identified across Karnataka. Out of this number, about 64,573 students dropped out of college at the Pre-University (PU) level, while 38,469 students dropped out of schools at the SSLC (class 10) level. The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has taken steps to register them for the Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations conducted through Karnataka State Open Schools (KSOS). Govt. to pay exam fee In addition, the Union Ministry of Education has approved to release of ₹12.91 crore towards the fee of ₹2,000 per student to register for the examination. Samagra Shikshana-Karnataka (SSK), during its survey of school dropouts for 2026-27, found that around 38,469 students aged 15 to 18, who had registered for the SSLC examination, and 64,573 students, who had registered for the II PUC examination, did not appear for them.
“It is a serious matter that such a large number of students are out of academic activities. Once they miss an examination, they will never write the examination again. So, we want to ensure that these students write the examination through KSOS,” said K. Vidyakumari, State Project Director, SSK. Study centres SSK has decided to identify another study centre in each taluk, in addition to the 220 Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) study centres already functioning in the State, and provide training. The authorities have been instructed to identify a Government High School/Government PU College comprising an SSLC examination centre, one for rural areas and one for urban areas, on a priority basis, as a study/examination centre for KSOS and take necessary action. The principal/headmaster of the school is to be appointed as the coordinator of the study/examination centre and the senior teachers/senior lecturers of the same school should be appointed as assistant coordinators.
Nodal officers will also be appointed at the district and taluk levels. A one-day workshop is to be organised at the block/cluster level for the school dropouts and parents who have already been identified and register for the examination. “Necessary orders will be issued through the Block Education Officers (BEOs) concerned to provide educational assistance from the teachers of the study centre or high school near the child’s residence,” reads the circular. Hand holding The officials have been asked to provide appropriate guidance to the students regarding the selection of the medium of examination (subject combination) and the use of the nearby library and various digital platforms for exam preparation until the completion of the exam. “The district and taluk-level officials will visit the homes of the students concerned or schools and colleges. They will convince the students and parents to register for the KSOS exams.
The BriefWire