PNS | DEHRADUN
A detailed door-to-door survey will be conducted to identify school dropouts grils between the ages of 10 and 18 years in Dehradun district. The district administration teams will investigate the reasons behind their inability to continue education and work to resolve these issues effectively.
The Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal issued these orders to the child development programme officer at the district-level task force meeting held under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme on Tuesday. Bansal emphasised the importance of creating impactful and sustainable initiatives that address the challenges faced by underprivileged girls. He called for a systematic approach to re-enroll dropout girls in schools and ensure their education is uninterrupted by economic hardships. He said that the administration will also provide financial assistance for those in need, including the payment of one year’s school fees.
Besides this, uniforms, books, stationery and hygiene kits will be distributed to support these girls in continuing their studies. The DM said that for those aspiring to develop professional skills, vocational training in fields such as architecture, medical science and computer technology will also be made available. Bansal said that education is not just a tool for individual empowerment but as a means to uplift entire families. He directed the officials to prioritise actionable plans that could serve as role models for other districts.
The meeting also approved initiatives to provide exposure and inspiration to adolescent girls. Activities like educational tours to Science City, the Forest Research Institute and motivational movie screenings will be organised to help girls envision broader possibilities for their futures. The administration will also focus on monitoring the nutritional levels of adolescent girls and providing them with consistent guidance on improving their health to ensure holistic development. Special attention will be given to dropout girls from marginalised communities, particularly those in tribal areas where Anganwadi workers will conduct targeted surveys.
These efforts aim to leave no girl behind, ensuring every child has access to quality education and development opportunities. Bansal also announced steps to increase awareness about pressing social issues, including female foeticide, child marriage and domestic violence. Another key focus of the meeting was addressing the challenges faced by working mothers. Under the Palna initiative, daycare facilities will also be introduced to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children. These centres will prioritise the nutritional, cognitive and emotional development of young children, enabling mothers to pursue their careers with greater ease and confidence, Bansal said.
