Expressing concern over the abysmally low
attendance of students after the Covid-19 pandemic in the State, the
School and Mass Education (S & ME) Department on Saturday
announced that it has come up with a strategy to bring back the school
dropouts.
Speaking to reporters, S & ME Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said it has
been observed that only 70 per cent of the students are attending
physical classes after reopening of schools this year. The department has
planned a strategy to ensure 100-per cent attendance of students.
“As part of the strategy, the department will engage teachers,
Sarpanches or School Management and Development Committee
(SMDC) Presidents and women Self Help Group (SHG) members for a
micro-level survey to be conducted to list out the dropout students. The
teachers may also visit houses of the dropouts and discuss with their
parents to know the reason of their absence from the school,” said the
Minister, adding that the drive aims at ensuring 100% attendance of
students in schools from the next academic session.
“The concerned authorities have been directed to submit school-wise
reports on absentees of the recently-concluded Matric examination
within 10 days. The exact reason behind their absence from the Board
exam will be ascertained once the reports come in,” he said.
Dash also informed that though the Government has curtailed the
summer vacation to 11 days, schools would remain closed on May 16
and May 30 for Buddha Purnima and Savitri Amavasya, respectively.
Earlier yesterday, the department wrote a letter to all district Collectors
appraising them about the strategy for dropouts.
Quoting an analysis on daily attendance provided by the District
Education Officers (DEOs), the department said, “Attendance of
students from Class-I to Class-V in districts like Malkanagiri, Boudh,
Gajapati, Sambalpur and Nuapada is less than the State average. In case
of attendance for Class-VI to Class-VIII, the performance of districts
like Malkanagiri, Boudh, Sambalpur and Nuapada is also less than the
State average. In the secondary wing, performance of districts like
Gajapati, Balangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Cuttack, Khordha,
Koraput, Ganjam, Boudh, Malkangiri, Keonjhar and Sambalpur is less
than the State average. The overall attendance of higher secondary
classes is abysmally low in Gajapati, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Kandhamal
and Nuapada districts, which is matter of concern.”
“During review meetings conducted by the department, it was observed
that many students passing out from Class-VIII are not taking
readmission in Class-IX and they might be dropping out. Special care
will be taken to get them admitted at the secondary level in the nearby
schools,” the letter read.