Special schools opened for dropouts

It is part of initiative to bring them back to schools, says official

Students beloing to Yanadi and Erukula tribes who were enrolled in special school at Nagayalanka in Krishna district.

At least 102 school dropouts belonging to Yanadi and Yerukula tribes, were brought back to school in Nagayalanka and Koduru mandals in Krishna district .

The Education Department officials found that nearly 200 students belonging to the two tribes were either out of school or absent for many days during the academic year.

Majority of the students are allegedly forced to accompany their parents in the collection of mud crab and fishing.

On Monday, the Education Department officials opened two special schools on S.C. Welfare Hostel campuses at Nagayalanka and Koduru, exclusively for the tribal students.

“A total of 69 tribal students studying in primary, upper primary and high schools have enrolled in the special school at Nagayalanka and 33 students have enrolled in the Koduru-based school”, Nagayalanka Mandal Education Officer TVM Rama Dasu told The Hindu .

“The Yanadi tribal students feel comfortable to spend time with their fellow tribal students in the school and the special school will be run for one month, providing them education, entertainment to attract them to the school on regular basis”, added Mr. Rama Dasu.

A team of officials recently identified nearly 200 Yanadi and Erukula tribal students to enrol them in the special school during the summer.