Rewards for teachers, pradhans to improve attendance in schools

On the basis of the survey and the reasons which will come up, we can take corrective measures to increase attendance of students in schools

RAJ SHEKHAR, district magistrate

LUCKNOW: The basic education department and district administration will now encourage and honour best performing teachers and shiksha mitras from each block for improving the attendance of students in government schools.

Even positive role played by village pradhans for increasing enrolment of poor children in government schools under the ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ will be recognised. These decisions were taken in a review meeting of basic education department carried out by the district administration.

According to official data, about 40-50% students studying in government primary and upper primary schools did not attend their classes in July.

The administration has now asked basic shiksha adhikari, Praveen Mani Tripathi, to carry out a detailed survey to find out the reasons of absenteeism of children for a long period. Tripathi has been asked to submit his report by August end.

“On the basis of the survey and the reasons which will come up, we can take corrective measures to increase attendance of students in schools,” said district magistrate Raj Shekhar.

HT has been highlighting how majority of students did not attend classes after schools re-opened in July following summer vacation. Driven by poverty, parents have forced children to graze cattle or work with them on field to sow paddy.

The DM was informed during the meeting that more than 90% books have been distributed to students already. The books of Urdu medium are not available and hence it could not be distributed.

The basic education department received more than 1,600 applications from parents of economically weaker sections and of these more than 450 were found eligible. About 400 students were given admission in various schools and the department is working for the admission of remaining children, officials said.

The department has received money for the construction of toilets in 129 schools and of these toilets in 107 schools is ready and work is in progress for remaining 22, they added.