Aas School Jiba campaign: Re-enrolling 3,000 dropout children in Sambalpur district

Bhubaneswar: Around 3,000 dropout children in Sambalpur district will be brought back to school as part of the ‘Aas School Jiba’ campaign, with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan attending an awareness drive on Sunday. He described the campaign as a commendable initiative of the state govt to connect children with education and skill development.Addressing a gathering, Pradhan said that bringing every child to school and providing education in their mother tongue are the core objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP). “Our govt is working to reduce dropout rates, increase enrolment, improve school infrastructure and enhance literacy levels. Campaigns like Aas School Jiba will play a crucial role in achieving the goals,” Pradhan said.The minister pointed out that Sambalpur fares better than many districts in terms of school enrolment, yet nearly 3,000 children remain outside the education system. “The responsibility of ensuring every child’s education does not rest only with the govt but also with parents, teachers and the community,” he added.Highlighting the ministry’s Ullas — Nav Bharat Literacy Programme 2025, Pradhan said efforts are underway to make unlettered people aged above 15 years literate. He also stressed the importance of the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, encouraging citizens to promote indigenous products. “Educating children, making the illiterate literate, and supporting local products will help build a stronger and more developed India. Today’s students will be the leaders who realise the dream of a developed nation,” he said.State panchayati raj minister Rabi Naik, along with students, teachers, parents, education officers and school management committee members, also joined the rally.