New Delhi, Aug 3 (ANI): A report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) says that school dropout rates for students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) have gone up.

In a performance audit of the Educational Development of SC and ST in India, the CAG has highlighted among other things, alarming gaps in the Government's policy implementation as far as Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) for SCs and STs is concerned.

According to report, the Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) And Gross Dropout Rate (GDR) displayed an adverse trend in respect of SC and ST boys and girls.

The drop out rate in respect of SCs and STs boys and girls increased in 2003-04 with reference to 2001-02 in several states. The increase ranged from 0.04 to 28.98 percent in 2003-04.

As per the 2001 Census, the SCs and STs constituted 16.23 and 8.2 percent respectively of the country's population.

The literacy rate of the SCs and STs was 55 and 47 percent respectively against the national literacy rate of 65 percent.

Seven and eight schemes were respectively are being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the benefit of them.

These schemes cover a variety of benefits such as scholarships, construction of hostels and schools, establishment of book banks, provision of remedial and special coaching and sanction of grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations.

The CAG also recommends that financial management and control of the educational schemes for SCs and STs be strengthened by greater attention to utilisation of funds, adjustment of unspent balances and prevention of diversion of funds. (ANI)