Srinagar: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has directed schools across Jammu Division to conduct a door-to-door survey to identify out-of-school children aged 6-18 years as part of its drive to achieve 100 per cent enrolment under the RTE Act and NEP 2020.
According to the directions, the exercise aims to ensure that no child remains deprived of education due to socio-economic, geographical or any other barriers, while also strengthening enrolment and retention across the ten districts of Jammu Division.
As per the directive, schools shall identify children who have never been enrolled in any educational institution, those who have remained absent from school for 45 days or more without prior intimation and are therefore considered dropouts, as well as students who are at risk of dropping out due to frequent absenteeism, poor academic performance, financial hardship or lack of access to schools.
The order also calls for the identification of children belonging to vulnerable groups, including migrant families, economically weaker sections, marginalised communities, Children with Special Needs (CWSN), child labourers, nomadic and migratory communities, orphans, destitute children and those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
To ensure that no eligible child is left out, every government school has been instructed to conduct a door-to-door household survey within its feeder area in coordination with School Management Committees (SMCs), Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, local volunteers, public representatives and other stakeholders.
The Directorate has further directed that every identified out-of-school child be enrolled in the nearest government school through age-appropriate admission.
Schools have also been asked to provide bridge courses, remedial teaching, counselling and other academic support to facilitate the mainstreaming of such children. Eligible students will also be provided free textbooks, uniforms and other benefits available under various government schemes.
To prevent future dropouts, Heads of Institutions have been instructed to closely monitor student attendance and immediately counsel parents or guardians of children showing prolonged or irregular absenteeism to ensure continuity in education.
The order mandates regular monitoring of the programme at the school, cluster, zonal and district levels by Heads of Institutions, Cluster Heads, Zonal Education Officers and Chief Education Officers. Range Joint Directors have been tasked with supervising implementation within their respective jurisdictions and providing necessary support.
Chief Education Officers have been directed to personally oversee the implementation of the programme at the district level and ensure that the instructions are implemented in both letter and spirit.
The Directorate has also instructed that Action Taken Reports (ATRs) be submitted every fortnight, warning that any lapses in implementation will be viewed seriously.
Meanwhile, the Joint Director (School Education) has been designated as the Nodal Officer at the Directorate level for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the initiative across all schools in Jammu Division. The officer will compile district-wise reports and submit consolidated information to the Directorate along with recommendations for any further action, if required.
