Bhubaneswar, 3rd Sept 2025 Efforts are underway across Odisha to bring back out-of-school children and enroll those who have never attended school. From teachers to District Education Officers (DEOs), everyone is involved in this drive. Under the initiative “Aas School Jiba” (“Let’s Go to School”), the School & Mass Education Department is trying to re-integrate these children into the education system.3rd Sept 2025:
However, the findings from Bhubaneswar, especially from Khordha district, are alarming. In the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Block areas, over 1,300 children aged 6 to 18 years are currently out of school. In the Bhubaneswar block alone, about 400 such children have been identified, while in BMC, the number approaches 1,000.
Among them, a higher number of dropouts are boys, compared to girls who have never enrolled. This trend has raised concerns.
Survey Reveals Dropout Statistics
As part of the “Aas School Jiba” campaign, government and aided school teachers conducted door-to-door surveys. According to the survey:
In Bhubaneswar Block:
145 girls and 183 boys have dropped out of school.
32 girls and 48 boys have never attended school.
38 children with disabilities were also identified.
In the BMC area:
325 girls and 464 boys have dropped out.
211 girls and 278 boys have never enrolled.
In total, including children with disabilities, 1,278 children are currently out of school in these areas.
Dropout Increases After Matriculation
The data shows that the dropout rate spikes significantly after Class 10 (Matric) and +2 (Senior Secondary):
At age 15:
49 children dropped out in the block
92 in BMC
At age 16:
73 in the block
150 in BMC
At age 17:
86 in the block
240 in BMC
At age 18:
35 in the block
113 in BMC
After students stop coming to school, teachers are reportedly trying to bring them back, but with limited success.
Urban Education in Crisis
> 1,300 children aged 6–18 are out of school in Bhubaneswar.
More dropouts in BMC than in Bhubaneswar block.
In urban slum areas, many girls have dropped out due to early marriage and relocation, while many boys have migrated for labour work (Dadani system).
This raises serious questions:
What are teachers doing when students stop attending?
Why are education officials not taking timely action?
Who is accountable?
Will anyone face consequences?
These are now hot questions surrounding Bhubaneswar’s education system.
Education Minister Responds
Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond told the media that the data collected from the survey is under review and necessary steps will be taken at the district level based on the findings.
Teacher Involvement Questioned
> Teachers must show dedication!
Many teachers do not communicate with parents when students miss school. In some cases, children stop coming due to fear or disinterest in studies. The drop-out data only came to light after the door-to-door survey.
If a child remains absent for two days, schools should immediately contact their family. Class teachers should actively monitor attendance. In fact, teachers have more responsibility than parents, says educationist Ambika Prasad Das, who also added that strict action against negligent teachers