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Odisha Re-enrolls 60,000+ Dropout Students in Major Education Push

The Odisha government has successfully re-enrolled over 60,000 students back into the formal education system through targeted interventions. Key initiatives include the 'Aaso School Jiba' door-to-door campaign, which identified over 1.8 lakh dropout children statewide. The government is also providing financial assistance to ST students and has upgraded 200 schools to include Higher Secondary facilities. Furthermore, teacher recruitment has been bolstered and the Mid-Day Meal scheme extended to improve attendance and education quality.

Key Points: Odisha Re-enrolls 60,000+ Students to Curb School Dropouts

  • 60,863 students re-enrolled
  • Door-to-door 'Aaso School Jiba' campaign
  • Rs 5,000 aid for ST Class IX students
  • 200 schools upgraded to Higher Secondary
  • 21,515 teachers recruited in 18 months
2 min read

Odisha government intensifies efforts to curb school dropouts, over 60,000 students re-enrolled

Odisha's targeted campaigns re-enroll over 60,000 students, upgrade 200 schools, and expand teacher recruitment to reduce dropout rates.

"One of the key initiatives is the 'Aaso School Jiba' campaign, under which teachers conducted a door-to-door survey... - Nityananda Gond"

Bhubaneswar, January 15

The Odisha government has intensified its efforts to curb school dropouts, successfully re-enrolling more than 60,000 students across the state through targeted interventions and community outreach programmes, Minister of School and Mass Education of Odisha, Nityananda Gond, said on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, Gond said the state government has rolled out multiple initiatives to ensure that every child has access to quality education and to significantly reduce dropout rates. "One of the key initiatives is the 'Aaso School Jiba' campaign, under which teachers conducted a door-to-door survey across Odisha to identify children who had dropped out of school," he highlighted.

According to the survey findings, around 1,83,216 dropout students were identified statewide. Following sustained engagement with families and counselling of parents, at least 60,863 students have so far been brought back into the formal education system, with necessary facilities and support provided to them, the minister said.

"The survey also revealed that a significant proportion of dropout students belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. To address this challenge, the state government is implementing the Madho Singh Hath Kharch Scheme, which provides financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to ST students enrolling in Class IX, aimed at encouraging them to continue their education," Minister Gond said.

He further said that in a bid to improve access to higher secondary education, particularly in rural and underserved areas, the BJP-led state government has upgraded around 200 schools with Higher Secondary facilities. The move seeks to address long-standing infrastructure gaps that have contributed to school dropouts.

"Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the government has also extended the Mid-Day Meal scheme to students of Classes IX and X, to improve nutrition levels and boost school attendance. To further strengthen the education system, the state has recruited 21,515 teachers over the past 18 months and has announced plans to recruit an additional 45,000 teachers over the next three years," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Bringing back 60,000+ students is a big achievement. But the survey identified over 1.8 lakh dropouts. That's a huge gap still to be filled. Hope the government sustains this momentum and doesn't just stop at re-enrollment. Quality of education and retention are the real tests now.
S
Suresh O
Extending the Mid-Day Meal to classes 9 and 10 is a game-changer. For many families in Odisha's tribal belts, a child in school means one less helping hand at home or in the fields. That meal incentive can be the deciding factor for parents. Good, practical thinking.
A
Anjali F
As someone from Odisha, I've seen the struggle firsthand. Upgrading 200 schools with higher secondary facilities is vital. Often, children, especially girls, drop out after Class X because the nearest higher secondary school is too far. This addresses a core infrastructure issue.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the data-driven approach with the survey. The focus on Scheduled Tribe communities with targeted schemes like the Rs 5,000 assistance shows they're tackling the root causes of disparity. Recruiting thousands of new teachers is the backbone needed to support this influx of students.
K
Kavya N
While the efforts are commendable, I hope the teacher recruitment focuses on quality and proper training, not just numbers. A poorly trained teacher can do more harm than good. Also, hope the financial aid reaches the intended beneficiaries without any leakage. The intent is great, execution is key.

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