The Lambani community, one of India's largest traditional, nomadic, and de-notified tribes, is known by various names such as Bhanjara, Lamani, Sugalis, Lambada, Gypsies, and Gourmatti. Historically identified as a nomadic tribe, migration has been a primary means of livelihood for the Lambanis. Vijayapur District in Karnataka hosts the highest population of Lambanis in the state. This study aims to investigate the causes of school dropouts among Lambani students at the primary level, a critical issue that continues to challenge both advanced and developing nations. The dropout phenomenon affects societal prosperity and advancement, as uneducated and low-qualified personnel can significantly impede state functionality and development. The research seeks to assess the various factors contributing to dropouts among Lambani students, including ineffective curricula, stringent school discipline, inadequate physical and educational facilities, lack of parental support, poor socioeconomic conditions, domestic issues, parental illiteracy, unfavorable school environments, poor attendance, student behavior issues, lack of motivation, teacher discrimination, and frequent teacher absenteeism. The study highlights that dropout rates increase as students progress to higher grades, with primary-level dropout rates at 0.38% in Vijayapura's government schools, escalating to 23.68% at the upper primary level and 43.3% at the secondary level. Notably, girls have slightly higher dropout rates than boys, especially at the secondary level, where dropout rates are 43.9% for girls and 42.67% for boys. This study underscores the urgency of addressing the dropout issue among Lambani pupils in Vijayapur District, with the aim of developing effective interventions to improve retention rates and support the educational advancement of this marginalized community.
