FACTORS AFFECTING THE ENROLLMENT AND THE RETENTION OF STUDENTS AT PRIMARY EDUCATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH – A VILLAGE LEVEL STUDY

There is an imperative need to change the education pattern to achieve universal primary education in India. Even after 60 years of Independence, India faces obstacles in providing Education For All. This study was conducted in a primary school of Errabelly village of Karimnager district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The study revealed that children dropped out of school so as to assist in household and agricultural activities. It also reveals that the dropout rate of girls is more than that of boys. The study recommended that budgetary allocations should be increased so as to encourage the primary school participation and provide some form of financial assistance to the students.