Dropout and Retention among Schoolchildren in the Context of the Mid Day Meal Programme in India

Shivani Gharge, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Sayeed Unisa, international Institute for Population Sciences

The study aims to examine the effect of the world’s largest school-feeding programme, the Mid Day Meal (MDM) programme, on the dropout and retention prevalence among schoolchildren in India. Data from the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS) Rounds 1 (2004–05) and 2 (2011–12) were utilized. The sample included individual-level information of schoolchildren aged 5 to 10 years in IHDS-1 who then turned 12 to 17 years in IHDS-2. The dependent variables were dropout and retention. Bivariate analysis was used to examine the prevalence of dropout and retention by MDM consumption patterns. Logistic regression was performed to assess the strength of the association of socio-demographic characteristics and MDM consumption patterns with retention and dropout. The findings suggest that participants having MDM support in their younger ages had a lower dropout rate and were more likely to be retained in school. Participants residing in urban areas and living farther from school were more likely to drop out, while parental higher education and receiving scholarships were associated with better retention. However, continuous upscaling of the MDM programme and focusing on urban children, transportation solutions, and the provision of free textbooks and scholarships will significantly improve the educational attainment of school-aged children in India. 

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Longitudinal studies

See extended abstract.