A Study on Causes of School Drop Out in A Slum Area of Jaipur Rajasthan

School drop outs are very common in children, especially in developing countries, and may occur due to many causes. This community-based descriptive observational study was conducted in a Kacchi Basti to identify reasons for school dropout among children aged 6-14 years and present their socio-demographic profile. A total of 180 school dropout children were surveyed. Findings revealed that 57.8% were boys and 42.2% girls, with the majority aged 13-14 years. Most children belonged to Hindu families with illiterate parents engaged primarily in low-income occupations. The reasons for dropout included inability to pay for education (71.1%), need to support family (37.2%), household responsibilities, parental reluctance, and disinterest in school. Boys predominantly dropped out to work for family support, while girls were mainly withdrawn due to parental reluctance and household duties. The study highlights poverty, parental attitudes, and socio-economic factors as critical contributors to school dropout and underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve retention