Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has planned a slew of measures to bring out-of-school children back into classrooms and prevent dropouts. The measures include psychological counsellors in resettlement colony schools, socio-economic surveys to identify vulnerable children, special camps for Aadhaar and birth certificates, and stronger coordination with neighbouring districts to improve access to schools.The plan was finalised at a review meeting chaired by GCC commissioner G S Samiran with officials, volunteers and NGO representatives. “We plan to introduce psychological counsellors in schools located in resettlement colonies and conduct capacity-building programmes for teachers,” said Samiran. He said the primary focus would be on children without parental care and those at risk of dropping out.The civic body will step up awareness on physical and mental health and intensify action against drug abuse near schools.
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It will partner with the Madras School of Social Work to conduct a socio-economic survey in Ezhil Nagar, Kannagi Nagar and Semmenchery to create a database of vulnerable children. Teachers will then counsel parents and encourage them to re-enrol their children in school.Officials said many children in these resettlement colonies dropped out after families were relocated from the city’s core areas over the past decade. A shortage of nearby schools and inadequate public transport made it difficult for many students to continue education.More than 17,000 families have been evicted from city areas in the last decade. The meeting also discussed providing RO drinking water facilities in corporation schools. GCC is coordinating with Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur district administrations to strengthen schooling in resettlement areas bordering the city. “District officials will be asked to carry out localised outreach and upgrade schools wherever required,” an official said.
