India, July 30 -- The Delhi government has directed all government schools and Special Training Centres (STCs) to organise monthly counselling sessions for parents and guardians of out-of-school children (OoSC) during the current academic session to improve attendance, prevent dropouts and help children continue their education. Issued under the Samagra Shiksha programme in accordance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the directive requires Heads of Schools (HoSs) to conduct regular counselling for parents of children studying in STCs as well as those who have been mainstreamed into government schools.
According to the Directorate of Education (DoE), out-of-school children include those aged 6 to 14 years who have never attended school, dropped out before completing elementary education or remained absent for extended periods. The department said the initiative seeks to identify such children, enrol them in schools and support their transition into the formal education system. It noted that irregular attendance, migration, financial hardship, learning gaps, lack of parental awareness and limited academic support at home often contribute to children dropping out. Schools will review attendance and progress, counsel parents, prepare follow-up plans, maintain records and report implementation under the Samagra Shiksha framework.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.