Dropouts back to Schools

Shillong, Aug 19 (UNI) The Meghalaya government is putting all efforts to bring dropouts back to schools, said state Education Minister Prestone Tyngsong.

Presently, Meghalaya stands at 62 per cent below the national average of 65 per cent.

According to State Project Director of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Donald P Wahlang said rate of school dropouts is very high in Meghalaya, perhaps the highest in the country.

Over one lakh children are out of schools in Meghalaya, Mr Wahlang revealed.

Launching the special 'Education Festival 2006' yesterday at Tura, Mr Tyngsong appealed to parents, teachers and officials to play their parts in raising the level of literacy and quality education in the state.

The 21-day Education Fest, organised by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was aimed at ensuring that dropouts return to schools and highlight the importance of education. Mr Tyngsong said the festival would also motivate dropouts and help the government succeed in making the state totally literate.

Every child has the right to education and it has been assured that every child is able to go to school, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the state government has taken a special drive to bring back the dropouts to schools through a three-stage system involving the blocks and also the village elders.

As part of the programme, free school textbooks are being provided to deserving and needy students of rural areas and special aids in the forms of wheelchairs were also given to young physically challenged ones.

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