NCPCR Holds Consultations with States to Devise Strategy for Re-Engagement of out of School Children

New Delhi, April 4, 2016: For better understanding of problems of Out of School Children (OoSC) and re-engaging them, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is holding a two-day consultation –cum-review meeting in New Delhi where representatives of all the State and Union Territories are participating. The meeting organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the National Council for Educational Research and Training will deliberate on the factual position relating to OoSC, challenges and best practices followed by the States as well as recommend measures for developing an action plan for tackling the problem.

Inaugurating the meeting today, Harayana Minister of Education, Shri Ram Vilas Sharma said that many children in the age group of 6 to 14 remain out of school despite the Right to Education Act enacted by the Government, which provides for free and compulsory education for the children of this age group. He extolled the contribution of some NGOs in getting such children enrolled in schools. Shri Sharma urged the participants to go deep into the reasons why so many children are still out of school and devise ways to get them enrolled in schools.

Chairperson of NCPCR, Ms. Stuti Kacker described the situation unfortunate and said school drop outs often come in conflict with law which becomes a major issue of concern. She called for greater use of technology to reach out to such children and impart them with appropriate skills so as to make them productive citizens.

Member of NCPCR, Shri Priyank Kanungo wanted participants to clearly define the term OoSC. He asked them to devise a methodology to assess the exact number of such children and their classification so that appropriate strategy could be deployed for each category to get them to the formal school system.

The problem of OoSC, non-enrolment of children in school, low attendance and drop-outs requires urgent interventions and devising strategies to counter the issue. As NCPCR is the monitoring body of the Right of Education Act 2009 , and as member of CABE, NCPCR is paying attention to issues relating to the exclusion of children from free and compulsory education as one of its core areas. In the context of OoSC and their re-engagements, the Commission is of the view that emphasis must be laid on the understanding and strengthening of the preventive strategies.

NCPCR will submit the recommendations of the meeting to the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE).