Patna: As part of the Localised Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), the govt has intensified efforts to make gram panchayats more women-and child-friendly by bringing out-of-school girls back to classrooms.Across 171 blocks, elected panchayat representatives and members of JEEVIKA self-help groups are leading a coordinated campaign to identify girls who have dropped out and facilitate their re-enrolment with support from schools, local communities and partner organisations.Panchayati Raj minister Deepak Prakash said the state govt, under the leadership of the chief minister Samrat Choudhary, is positioning panchayats as key drivers of rural development and social change.
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“Panchayats are no longer limited to creating physical infrastructure but are also responsible for promoting children’s education, ensuring girls’ safety, advancing women’s dignity and protecting the rights of vulnerable communities,” he said.Emphasising the govt’s commitment to education, the minister said no girl should be forced to discontinue her studies because of poverty, social barriers, insecurity or a lack of essential documents.Under the campaign, JEEVIKA didis are conducting door-to-door visits to identify dropouts, counsel families and raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education. Where needed, panchayat representatives are helping families obtain birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, bank accounts and other documents required for school admission, ensuring administrative hurdles do not prevent girls from returning to school.Backed by the Panchayati Raj department through regular capacity-building programmes and strong community participation, the initiative is emerging as a model for grassroots social transformation. Officials believe the campaign will strengthen women’s empowerment while accelerating progress towards universal education for girls in rural Bihar.
