Sonia Gandhi expresses concern over high school dropout rate among children

Raebarely (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 4 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday expressing concern over the high school dropout rate among children said the government is committed to ensure that not a single child is deprived of education due to lack of money.

Addressing a function in her constituency after laying the foundation stone of a sports complex at Jawaharlal Navodaya school in Maharajganj, Gandhi said: "Despite government giving scholarships and free coaching facility, percentage of children dropping out of schools, specially those coming from weaker section and minorities in still high."

Gandhi further called upon the political workers, NGOs and public representatives to publicise the schemes initiated by the government so that those who are deprived due to lack of information could be benefited.

"Besides primary education, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has taken important steps to promote secondary education. It has been decided to set up a model school in each block across the country and in Uttar Pradesh, 148 schools have been sanctioned," she added.

The UPA chairperson further said the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan has been launched under which financial assistance will be given to secondary schools as well.

"It is the commitment of the UPA Government that not a single child is deprived of education due to lack of money," Gandhi said.

"To promote sports among school children, the UPA Government has decided to construct sports complex in all Jawahar navodaya schools in the country. The foundation of the first sports complex is being laid in 'karmbhoomi' of Indiraji," she added.

Sonia Gandhi further said the Right to Education Act has been implemented to ensure free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years.

"To successfully implement the RTE a provision of Rs 2.25 lakh crore fund has been made and full cooperation is being given to the states. As compared to last year, 75 per cent more fund has been allocated to UP and Rs 7,000 crore has been sanctioned," said Gandhi.

"Rajiv Gandhiji, who created the vision of 21 century India, was not only concerned about the all round development of the country, but also considered ensuring education to backward and poor as his prime responsibility," she added.

Sonia Gandhi is presently on a two-day visit to Raebareli during which she is expected to take part in different programs related to various development activities and projects in her constituency. (ANI)