ROURKELA: Under the ‘Aasa School Jiba’ campaign, the Sundargarh administration has identified a total of 11,802 children across the district who have either dropped out or never been to schools. Of these children, 3,144 have been re-enrolled and integrated into the mainstream education system for the 2025-26 academic year. Sources in the district education office informed that under the campaign, 11,802 children in the age group of seven to 18 years were found not going to schools. These included 9,570 dropouts and 2,232 children who were never enrolled.

Lahunipada block was having the highest number of 1,178 dropouts followed by Bisra with 1,360 such children. Bonai had the lowest with 276 dropouts. Similarly, Lahunipada was found having the highest number of out-of-school children at 601. Tangarpali block had 36 such children. So far, 3,144 children have been brought into the mainstream education system with age appropriate re-admission in schools after remedial study. Over-aged dropouts have been admitted to the State Institutions for Open Schooling (SIOS) to enable them secondary and higher secondary certification.

One SIOS school is available in each of the 17 blocks of Sundargarh, said the sources.

Notably, the dropout rate is significantly higher at the high school level with ST and SC students leading the pack for varied reasons. It was found that at the high school level, most tribal boys and girls with low to average academic standards and less inclination for study leave school and opt for earning. In many cases, weak family economy act as barriers for the children to pursue further study.

A substantial number of teenage tribal boys and girls refrain from taking admission in private schools as they get into relationship and quit study. Administrative sources said collective efforts with help of stakeholders are underway to motivate the remaining children to return to schools. The administration is also open to extend financial help to those children who discontinued study for financial constraints. District education officer of Sundargarh SD Bariha was not immediately available for his comment on the issue.

This story is written by Prasanjeet Sarkar of The New Indian Express