Measures were also taken to strengthen teaching by posting more experienced teachers in the early grades. This is now used as a diagnostic tool to identify learning difficulties and students needing remedial education. The number of out-ofschool children fell from 3.2 million in 1999 to 33,000 in 2008. From 2000 to 2006, drop-out rates fell from 26 to 17 per cent. When the reforms were first introduced, grade-specific enrolment rates followed a similar pattern to those in many other countries in the region - high initial enrolment followed by drop-out in subsequent grades.