Maharashtra wants to adopt AI-driven model and adult open schools to prevent school dropouts

To curb school dropouts among girls and create pathways for those who missed formal education, the Maharashtra Education Department on Friday (December 5, 2025) said that it wants to collaborate with Educate Girls to adopt its AI-driven model and introduce open schools for adults in the State.  

Speaking at the 18th Foundation Day of Educate Girls, an NGO, in Mumbai, Ranjeet Singh Deol, Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Bringing over 20 lakh girls back to education is no small feat.

By starting in the most challenging geographies, Educate Girls has built strong field experience. When you focus on the most marginalised girls, the gaps become visible and solvable. Even in progressive States like Maharashtra, pockets of vulnerability remain. Your model on out-of-school girls will strengthen our policies and help us act faster using your AI-driven insights.” 

At the event, adolescent girls and women (aged between 15 and 29) who scored 75% and above in their State Open School Class 10 examinations under Educate Girls second-chance education programme, Pragati, were felicitated. Many of these learners have overcome restrictive gender norms, household responsibilities, and years away from school. 

Since 2007, the organisation has supported the enrolments of over 20 lakh girls across 30,000 villages in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Maharashtra now plans to replicate the model of open school to reach girls and women who missed formal schooling due to social or economic constraints. 

According to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024–25, girls’ dropout rates remain a concern, especially at higher levels. Nationally, the rate is 1.8% at the preparatory stage (classes III–V), 2.9% at middle (VI–VIII), and 6.6% at Secondary (IX–XII). Among states, Madhya Pradesh records the highest secondary-level dropout at 10.2%, followed by Maharashtra at 7.3%. Rajasthan reports 3.6% at both preparatory and middle, and 5.2% at Secondary. Bihar shows a sharp early-stage dropout of 9.8% at Preparatory, while Uttar Pradesh has relatively low rates, 0% at preparatory and 1.5% at secondary. 

As the event coincided with the International Volunteer Day, 55,000 Team Balika volunteers were also honoured for their role in enrolling out-of-school girls and supporting families to overcome social barriers to girls’ education.  

Applauding the learners, Mr. Deol said, “These women motivate thousands more. Every woman who has passed her Class 10 through open school becomes a role model in her community. The future of Bharat depends on girls staying in school and with government partnership, this impact can grow even stronger.”  

Educate Girls’ Founder Safeena Husain said that partnering with government bodies and communities have fueled this mission at every step. “With the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award energising our path forward, we enter the new year with renewed purpose and a bold ambition to reach 10 million learners by 2035.”