Arunachal: School dropouts in remote Changlang get another chance at education

Tinsukia: Are you a dropout student of class x or XII? Here is a golden chance for you to reconnect to your studies and chase your dream career.

In a bid to help dropout students, the district adminstration of Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh has launched an initiative to reimburse the registration fees of students who wish to enroll for class 10 and 12 in the National Institutue of Open School (NIOS).

Talking to EastMojo, Changlang Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav said students dropping out affects economic performance and social progress of a country.

“During my regular visits to schools in Changlang, I found a high number of students who had failed in board exams of class 10 and 12.”

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In 2020, a total of 269 students dropped out from class 10 and 12 across Changlang district.

“A majority of students drop out of studies when faced with financial constraints and/or an adverse environment,” Yadav said.

This understanding forced the Changlang district administration to come up with ‘Poorna Shiksha’, an initiative to help students complete their Class X and XII. On its part, the administration will reimburse the Rs 1,500 of the registration fee per student.

“This will be funded through the district mineral fund,” Yadav said.

When dropout students don’t apply for open schooling, they become ineligible for government jobs or better private sector jobs.

“We have roped in local administrative and education officers, as well as school principals to motivate such students on mission mode,” said Yadav.

National Institutute of Open schooling (NIOS) has a deadline of 31st January 2021 to receive applications this year.

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The district administration plans to help the students by conducting free classes to ensure they are prepared to appear for the exams by the year end.

“This will give eligibility to class 10 failed students to join class 11, and class 12 students to join college once they clear the exams and chase their dream,” he added.