Bhubaneswar, Mar 19: Completing atleast one's schooling has became a basic necessity of every child. Acquiring knowledge, developing skills, enhancing critical thinking and openning various professional opportunites can be achieved through education. The increasing number of matric dropouts in the state has become a serious matter of concern.

This year in Balasore district of Odisha, as many as 700 students have filled up the matriculation examination form, but did not appear the exam. According to the teachers, due to the lack of coordination between the children and guardians, the students are not able to eliminate the fear of exams.

Matric examination for this year began on February 21 and ended on March 6. Like the previous year, dropout rates in the current examination has raised concern. Over 700 students in each subject did not appear the examination, which has created tension for the education department. The question has come up that why more and more students are developing such an attitude towards the examination? And who shall be held responsible for this?

In the Balasore district of Odisha, as many as 29,968 students registered to take the exam as regular candidates, this year. Out of which, 735 candidates did not appear the test in the language paper. Similarly 761 in English, 778 in Mathematics, 779 in Science, 791 in social studies and 784 candidates did not take the exam in Hindi and Sanskrit.

Presently the District Education Department is trying to find out the reasons for their absence. ''The headmasters have been asked to find out the reason for the absence of each student and submit a report'', the DEO said.

The infrastructure of the school is good and efficient teachers are also being appointed. But the question arises that even after such facilities are being provided, why are the students not willing to write the test? The district education department is currently looking into the reason behind this.