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Anand, Nov 1 (IANS) The ‘Ek Kadam School Ki Aur’ (One Step Towards School) initiative has rekindled the light of education in the lives of many children in Gujarat’s Anand district. Led by the District Development Officer (DDO) and supported by the Education Department, the campaign successfully encouraged school dropouts to return to their classes and continue their studies.
During the academic year 2024-25, around 750 students from classes 1 to 8 had left government schools in Anand. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, the district administration launched a focused campaign to bring these children back into the education system.
Devahuti, District Development Officer, Anand, said the aim of the campaign is not only to identify school dropouts but also to connect with their families and understand the reasons behind their dropping out. He said, “We realized that a combination of social, economic and personal challenges were keeping many children away from school. Through counseling and community partnerships, we motivated both students and parents to re-engage in the educational journey.”
The education department played an important role in this effort. Archana Prajapati, District Primary Education Officer, Anand, highlighted that extensive counseling sessions were conducted with the children and their parents. “We spoke to families to understand the barriers that prevent children from attending school and worked to address their concerns. Our goal was to make returning to school a seamless and welcoming process,” he said.
As a result of these coordinated efforts, 252 students who had previously dropped out are now back in classrooms, interacting with peers and continuing their studies. Mansi Solanki, a student, shared her excitement, saying, “I am very happy to be back in school and to meet my friends again. I am looking forward to learning and completing my studies.”
This initiative serves as a model for other districts in the state, demonstrating how consistent administrative and academic interventions can effectively tackle the dropout problem. Government schools often face challenges as students drop out, but Anand’s campaign proves that targeted action, community engagement and consultation can make a difference.
–IANS
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