The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017-18 state reports by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revealed that about one-fourth of the total students in the north-eastern states find it hard to go to their schools, despite having enthusiasm in attending classes, according to a Times of India report.
According to the survey, poor connectivity in the difficult terrains of the region acts as the primary obstacle for school children in going to school, the TOI report has stated.
Roads to numerous schools in the region are in deplorable conditions, mostly in geographically isolated locations forcing the children to drop out of school.
The recently prepared survey report revealed that in Arunachal Pradesh, 30 per cent students across III, V and VIII standards find it difficult to travel to school, though a whopping 96 per cent of them have expressed their willingness to study.
In Meghalaya, about 26 per cent of students of Class III, 25 per cent of students of Class V and 31 per cent of students of Class VIII find it difficult to travel to school.
In that state, the percentage is 97 for children showing eagerness to go to schools.
Even in Assam, the scene is no different.
Going is school is still an uphill task for students.
The survey reports stated that a total of 21 per cent of students of Class III, 19 per cent of Class V and 24 per cent of students of Class VIII find it hard to travel to school.
About 98 per cent of children in Assam have expressed their willingness to go to schools and study.
Even the state of Tripura, which is among those having highest literacy rates in the country, 25 per cent students of Class III, 23 per cent students of Class V and 22 per cent students of Class VIII find it difficult to reach school due to hostile road and terrain conditions.
About 97 per cent children in Tripura have expressed their willingness to go to school, according to the report.
In Manipur, 23 per cent students of Class III, 26 per cent students of Class V and 31 per cent students of Class VIII find it difficult to travel to school.
About 97 per cent of children have, however, expressed their willingness to attend schools regularly.
In Nagaland, 20 per cent of students of Class III, 23 per cent students of Class V and 25 per cent students of Class VIII find it hard to go to school, but 98 percent of the children want to go to school.
The picture is somewhat better in Mizoram – another north-eastern state with high literacy rate.
In Mizoram, 11 per cent students of Class III, 10 per cent students of Class V and 7 per cent students of Class VIII find hostility in going to school.
The survey revealed that 98 per cent of the children in Mizoram are willing to attend school regularly.