The Evaluation of Learning Outcome of 10th Standard Students During 2023 in Karnataka was undertaken by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) in partnership with the Department of Industrial Training and Employment, and executed by GRAAM. The study aimed to examine the reasons behind student absenteeism and its impact on academic performance in the SSLC examinations. Covering 12 talukas across four administrative divisions of Karnataka—Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru—the study utilized a mixed-methods approach, including structured student surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. It focused on comparing students who attended the SSLC exam (Examination Advantaged Group) with those who did not (Examination Disadvantaged Group) to explore the influence of socio-economic and institutional factors on learning outcomes. According to data from April 2023, approximately 20,736 students were absent from the SSLC examination across Karnataka, highlighting the severity of the absenteeism issue at the secondary education level.

The rationale for this study stems from the growing concern over declining attendance and rising dropout rates in government schools at the secondary level. Despite Karnataka’s progress in improving primary education enrolment, the state reports a high dropout rate of 14.6% at the secondary level—above the national average of 12.6%. This has raised critical questions about the effectiveness of ongoing educational interventions and policies. The study was therefore designed to identify socio-economic, infrastructural, and systemic barriers to regular school attendance and to assess how these factors affect students’ academic achievements. The insights aim to support evidence-based policy reforms to enhance attendance, reduce dropouts, and ensure equitable educational outcomes.

Objective

1. To analyze the attendance patterns of secondary school students in the academic year leading up to the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) board exams
2.  To assess the impact of attendance pattern on academic performance by comparing the grades or scores of students who consistently attended classes with those who had irregular attendance or were frequently absent.
3. To identify the contribution of different socioeconomic factors on attendance pattern as well as academic performance.
4. Establishing significant factors for different socioeconomic indicators to classify between enablers and barriers for favorable educational outcomes for the students
5. Predict the future academic performance based on significant socioeconomic factors and recommend interventions for future policy making.