The State Government’s prime objective is to enroll all one lakh dropout students in schools where they can get education at par with the private institutions. Since children are not a vote bank so no one pays heed towards them. Therefore, the dropout rate has been increased over the years,” said CM Raghubar Das during the launch of State-level ‘School Chalen Chalayen Abhiyan’ programme that aims to enroll all the deprived kids to school for achieving cent percent literacy rate.
“Commercialisation of health and education sectors has just benefited few people. From ensuring world class infrastructure to recruitment of teachers to completing electrification work in all schools by 2018, the State Government is committed to provide all facilities to the school goers and for retaining them in schools. Work of bench-desk has been completed. Government has planned to create State of the art laboratories at high schools,” added the CM.
Adopting some major strategies to curtail the dropout rate, concepts like zero dropout panchayats, ensuring 100 per cent teachers and student presence during school hours, 100 per cent transition, proper utilization of funds given to each school management committee (SMC) and cleanliness around the campus premises has been included this year under this flagship programme.
The programme initiated in the year 2015 has managed to enroll around 3.5 lakh dropout students in schools so far. In Ranchi 4,078 children are out of school. At present, nearly one lakh students falling in different age group are out of schools. Elaborating the programme concept, from this academic session besides admitting kids in class 1 to standard 8, children in class 9 and 10 will also get enrolled under the programme. Under the concept ‘Shishu Sadan’ in primary section kids who are above four years will also be admitted.
While addressing School Management Committee members and teachers during the programme, the CM instructed to deliver their duties with utmost dedication in the Santhal Paragana regions where the dropout rate is quite high in comparison to other districts. “Creating awareness among the masses must be ensured by the SMCs. While keeping the track record, the SMC members must also try to address the issues. In the coming days more responsibilities will be given to the SMCs. Students must also be vigilant and take up the initiative to write to the Government, if they are being deprived of facilities,” said, Das.
Focusing on worst panchayats located in Santhal Paragana belt and districts like Gumla, Chatra, Palamau, the department of School Education and literacy has demarcated 520 panchayats whose performance is substandard. Under the ‘Zero dropout panchayat’ plan 2500 panchayats will be declared ‘Zero dropout panchayat’ where no child is out of school.
“Adopting unique methods, worst panchayats will be targeted on priority basis. However, so far 120 panchayats at different block after verifying have been declared ‘Zero Dropout Panchayat’. Adding components like road shows, distribution of school kits, educational trips the department is all set to curtail the dropout rate in other districts too,” said, Secretary, Department of School Education and literacy, Aradhana Patnaik.