Over 1,500 Gujjar, Bakarwal students enrol in Kishtwar under ‘Back to School’ initiative

Our Correspondent

Jammu, February 1

Once grappling with a significant number of Out-of-School Children (OoSC), the success of the first phase of the Back to School initiative has played a pivotal role in elevating the literacy rate among the Scheduled Tribe community in Kishtwar district.

In 2021, a survey conducted by SAMAGRA Shiksha, J&K, identified thousands of OoSC across UT, including 2,469 in Kishtwar, marking the highest number in Jammu division. As the problem demanded urgent attention, Kishtwar administration took proactive steps to bring back the OoSC to school.

It is pertinent to mention that the term “Out of School Children” is a collective term encompassing dropouts, students who have left their education midway, and those who have never been enrolled and not at all experienced formal education.

In December 2022, verification of 2,469 Out-of-School Children (OoSC) revealed that approximately 1,600 students in the age group of 6-14 years were not attending school. The Gujjar and Bakarwal population were more susceptible to low enrolment due to relatively poor socio-economic conditions, migratory nature, dependence on livestock, and less emphasis on higher education because of early marriage.

To enrol these students, the Back to School initiative was launched. A 3-month bridge course prepared these students to join schools. Following the completion of the course, admissions for 1,376 Out-of-School Students were done in various government schools, with 95 per cent belonging to the ST Gujjar and Bakarwal population.

“Sustainability is crucial in such initiatives, and for this, community support was mobilised. A Tribal Samaj Sudhar Committee encouraged parents to re-enroll their kids in schools and monitored already enrolled students,” an official said.

The total number of Out-of-School Students has been reduced from 1600 to only 57 in the district, with an improved transition rate of 98%.

“Overall, due to the Back to School initiative, major indicators in Kishtwar district have improved. The Gross Enrollment Ratio has jumped from 89% to 97.49%, while the dropout rate has decreased from 11% to 2.5 percent” the official said.

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