Pradhan Applauds Odisha’s Door-to-Door Survey to Curb School Dropout Rates

Bhubaneswar : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has lauded the Odisha government’s proactive door-to-door survey initiative aimed at reducing dropout rates among children aged 0–18 years. Conducted by the School and Mass Education Department, the survey seeks to identify out-of-school children and bring them back into the fold of mainstream education.

During a performance review meeting held on Monday, Pradhan described the initiative as a “commendable step” that could serve as a model for other states. The survey not only targets the reintegration of dropouts but also aims to collect essential data, including details on children’s mother tongues, disabilities, and future enrollment projections.

The meeting witnessed participation from key figures including Odisha’s School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Union Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, State School and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit, State Project Director of OSEPA Ananya Das, and other senior officials from both central and state governments.

Pradhan also reviewed various aspects of school education in the state such as infrastructure development, teacher training, textbook alignment with the national curriculum, and the overall implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The progress of centrally sponsored schemes and initiatives to accelerate NEP 2020 rollout in Odisha were major points of discussion.

Official sources confirmed the formation of a steering committee tasked with managing nursery schools that are being set up in every primary school across the state. The committee will also ensure the development of a state-specific curriculum in line with national standards.

The meeting underscored Odisha’s efforts in enhancing school infrastructure from primary to higher secondary levels, expanding the reach of PM SHRI Yojana, and strengthening institutions like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Residential Schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.

Special attention was given to the promotion of pre-school education, the development of ICT and digital learning tools, and Odisha’s notable contribution to textbook creation. Additionally, officials highlighted the integration of the Chief Minister’s Nutrition Scheme with the PM POSHAN initiative. Under this program, students from nursery to Class 10 receive mid-day meals, nutritious ladoos thrice a week, and an additional egg, contributing to improved child nutrition and school retention.

Pradhan expressed confidence that such comprehensive and inclusive measures would significantly bolster the state’s educational landscape and help achieve the goal of education for all.