Education department launches drive to bring school, college dropouts back to classrooms – Times of India

Education Department Launches Campaign to Reduce Dropouts in Gurgaon District

Introduction

In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the Education Department of Gurgaon has initiated a district-wide campaign aimed at addressing the persistent issue of school and college dropouts. This campaign is designed to identify, monitor, and reintegrate students who have discontinued their studies or are at risk of dropping out, thereby promoting inclusive and equitable quality education.

Survey and Data Collection

Starting January, a comprehensive survey will be conducted to assess the exact number of dropout cases at both school and college levels. This data-driven approach supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by enabling the creation of a baseline to:

1. Design customized interventions
2. Track attendance patterns
3. Extend targeted academic and social support

The survey will also identify:

• Children who have never been enrolled
• Students who dropped out midway
• Students with irregular attendance

This enables corrective measures before the commencement of the next academic year.

Campaign Objectives and Approach

District Elementary Education Officer Saroj Dahiya described the campaign as a “priority mission,” emphasizing the goal to bring every child back into formal education, directly supporting SDG 4. The approach includes:

• Identifying household and community-level challenges such as financial distress, migration, lack of awareness, and social pressures
• Addressing these challenges through extensive home visits and outreach programs

Current Challenges and Data Insights

Recent data underscores the urgency of this initiative:

• The ASER 2024 survey for rural Gurgaon revealed that the proportion of children aged 6–14 not enrolled in school nearly doubled from 1.1% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2024, exceeding the state average of 1.3%.
• The survey also indicated a decline in government school enrolment.
• Previous education department surveys identified over 17,500 children aged 7–14 requiring special training for reintegration, in addition to more than 29,000 children from earlier assessments.
• State-level data highlights systemic challenges, including 19 government schools in Haryana with zero enrolment and 811 schools operating with only one teacher, increasing dropout risks.

Community Perspectives and Support Mechanisms

Residents from rural areas such as Sohna pointed out that economic pressures often compel children to enter the workforce prematurely, which conflicts with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). Women’s groups and NGOs emphasized the importance of:

• Sustained counselling
• Academic assistance
• Emotional support, especially for girls

These measures are critical to prevent students from disengaging from the education system again, thereby promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

Conclusion

The Education Department’s campaign in Gurgaon represents a strategic effort to meet multiple Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children. Through data-backed interventions and community engagement, the initiative aims to significantly reduce dropout rates and foster lifelong learning opportunities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article focuses on reducing school and college dropouts and reintegrating children into formal education, directly aligning with SDG 4’s aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Financial distress and economic compulsions pushing children into work are mentioned, linking the issue to SDG 1, which aims to end poverty and its impacts.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article highlights the importance of emotional support and counselling especially for girls, connecting to SDG 5’s goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Addressing social pressures, migration, and lack of awareness reflects efforts to reduce inequalities within and among communities.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 4 Targets
   • 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
   • 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training.
   • 4.6: Ensure that all youth achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive.
2. SDG 1 Targets
   • 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
3. SDG 5 Targets
   • 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology to promote the empowerment of women.
4. SDG 10 Targets
   • 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Enrollment Rates
   • Proportion of children aged 6–14 not enrolled in school (e.g., ASER 2024 survey data showing increase from 1.1% to 2.3%).
2. Dropout Rates
   • Number of school and college dropouts identified through surveys and monitoring.
3. Attendance Patterns
   • Tracking irregular attendance to identify at-risk students.
4. Teacher Availability
   • Number of schools with zero enrollment or with only one teacher (e.g., 19 govt schools with zero enrollment, 811 schools with one teacher).
5. Special Training Needs
   • Number of children requiring special training for reintegration (e.g., over 17,500 children aged 7–14).
6. Socioeconomic Factors
   • Indicators related to financial distress, migration, and social pressures affecting education access.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com