Delhi govt to formulate policy for school dropouts

NEW DELHI: The Education Department of Delhi government has started working on a new policy for school dropouts, with NGOs and corporate houses likely to be roped in by the government to run special training centres for school dropouts and prepare them for age-appropriate mainstream formal education.

The funding for these children, in the age group of six to 14 years, will be provided under the Universal Elementary Education Mission (UEEM)'s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

"Interested NGOs and corporates can submit applications to the Education department by April 28, following which visits will be made to the existing facilities to gauge their proficiency," an official said.

He added that all the proposals received will be screened by the screening committee on the basis of credibility, capability and documents.

"The recommended proposals will be placed before the competent authority and the grant-in-aid committee for further approval," the official added.

Earlier, in order to mitigate the dropout rate among private candidates, who were in Delhi government schools and could not pass their exams, the government – in collaboration with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) – had set up separate study centres to provide them with an opportunity to complete their school education.

According to a statement by Delhi government, "The scheme is aimed at those children who failed to clear Class 9 examinations for two years and Class-X examinations in the 2016-17 session. The government is committed to securing the interests of every child in Delhi, and especially those who have been a victim of insufficient academic support."

Under this initiative, separate classes will be conducted for girls and boys in 34 designated zonal study centres in government schools across the city at different timings.