The survey now being conducted through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to identify ‘out of school' children has already revealed some startling numbers.
In just two days of the SSA survey across Madurai district on April 5 and 6, already 847 children who are of school-going age but not enrolled in schools have been identified.
The State Government is undertaking a survey of such children against a backdrop of the Right to Education Act.
“We are identifying children in three categories — migrant children, never enrolled children and school dropouts. The survey will form the base for right intervention in ensuring school education for all children,” K. Sridevi, Chief Educational Officer, Madurai District, told The Hindu on Wednesday.
The survey will go on till April 14 in all blocks of the district and a final report would be presented to the State Project Director of SSA by April 20, she said.
Ms. Sridevi said that efforts would be made to put these children in school education through a strategic approach. The SSA has involved its field staff including the Block Resource Teacher Educators in carrying out this survey.
Maximum number
So far, it was found that the Kottampatti Block in Madurai district has the maximum number of ‘out of school' children with 124 recorded till now, including boys and girls. The Madurai East block had 121 such children so far.
It was followed by Kallikudi block with 109 children and Thirupparankundram block with 69 children.
The other figures are Alanganallur (64), Melur (58), Madurai West (49), Thirumangalam (47), Usilampatti (46), Madurai North (26), Chellampatti (28) and T.Kallupatti (18).
The CEO said that the enumerators were able to get correct data because the survey was done in April.
“We will cover every panchayat, ward and all blocks in the district. This household enumeration would give us the correct data for the next course of action,” Ms. Sridevi said.
