According to sources, dropout rate among girls is increasing at alarming rate. 

According to government estimates, out of every 100 girls enrolled in Class I, 50 girls drop out by class VIII. In fact, the highest dropout of children is between Class V and Class VIII. Its means that dropout rate among girls is as high as 50%. Studies have shown that girls are made to leave schools when they reach adolescence so that they can earn for family by doing house work or other jobs. Some times parents are forced to pull out girls from school due to social pressures. Other reasons of girls dropping out are the lack of toilets, a secure environment in schools or even the absence of a school in close proximity to the village.

Government is planning a scheme of midday meals for girls to control the high dropout rate. The 'Rajiv Gandhi scheme for empowerment of adolescent girls' presented by the ministry for women and child development (WCD) will provide girls with one meal. Authorities believe that this scheme will work as an incentive to keep girls in school. This project with a budget of Rs 3,000 crore is awaiting final decision from finance ministry. This project will cover girls between the ages of 12-15 years. 

Presently children below the age of six years are provided supplementary nutrition under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). 

A senior official added that under this scheme all adolescent girls will be entitled to a meal which will be given through the existing anganwadi system. The scheme will be implemented through out the country.

The cost of meal per girl per day will be approximately Rs 5. Authorities are hopeful that scheme of a mid-day meal for girls will lure parents to send their girls for school. This will help in controlling dropout rate among girls.