More than 52,000 dropout kids re-enrolled in school last year: JPEC

A total of 52,629 out-of-school children are back in mainstream education. According to Jharkhand Education Project Council (JPEC), 59,094 students were identified as out of school in the 2025-26 financial year. The enrolment accounts for nearly 89% of the children identified during the period.

Additionally, a household survey has so far identified 19,862 dropout children in the 6–18 age group in 2026, of whom 9,560 have been enrolled in schools. The remaining children are being tracked, and efforts are underway to facilitate their enrolment. The household survey also identified 10,133 children in the 3–5 age group.

Shashi Ranjan, state project director, said, “Coordination is being carried out with district social welfare officials to facilitate the enrolment of children in the 3 to 5 age group in Anganwadi centres. Special training and enrolment campaigns are also being used to reconnect children with education.”

The department is focusing on tracking children. Measures such as school residence mapping, teacher tagging and household surveys are being used to identify children who are out of school. The process is being carried out digitally through the digital application for habitation and re-enrolment (DAHAR) portal.

The department is also preparing to connect children aged 15–18 years with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIIOS). Additional mechanisms include the Vidya Samiksha Kendra’s toll-free number 0651-2710007, online information links, support from non-governmental organisations and verification of children identified through drop boxes under Unified District Information System for Education (U-Dise).

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