Krishnagiri: Collector Santhosh Babu asked headmasters of government schools to ascertain the reasons behind the high drop out rate in Thally and Kelamangalam blocks.

Speaking at a review meeting with headmasters of government schools in Thally and Kelamangalam blocks, he said that the district administration had developed a software to track and monitor the status of out-of-school children in the district.

Coordination

Headmasters should take efforts to coordinate with Village Education Committees (VECs), Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and panchayats to enrol the children in appropriate schools, including Education Guarantee Scheme centres, bridge courses, residential camps and special schools run by National Child Labour Project. The district administration was ready to fill up all the teacher vacancies in remote and inaccessible hamlets in the district. Similarly, adequate classrooms, drinking water facilities and toilets would be sanctioned immediately.

The Collector received applications from headmasters requesting infrastructure and appointment of teachers. They would be forwarded to Sarva Shiksha Abiyan for immediate action. Each school should have a pleasant ambience to retain the children in school. He requested headmasters to select five boys and five girls from Standards VII and VIII of each school to form Children's Brigade at the village level. They will be the ambassadors of the district administration. They would be trained to conduct cultural programmes on social, environment, health and welfare issues. The use of canes even for teaching alphabets should be prevented. The Ariviyal Anandam (Science is Fun) programme would be extended to all blocks in Krishnagiri district. The programme was an opportunity to develop the scientific skills of children.

Innovative project

Padippum Inikkum, an innovative project developed by AID India, a non-governmental organization to improve the reading skills of children in Tamil was currently underway in all blocks in Krishnagiri district. Headmasters took an oath to enrol all out-of-school children, to provide quality education and to improve personal hygiene and sanitation practices among children. UNICEF consultant P. Ganesamoorthi and Assistant District Project Coordinator Anbu were present.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail