India: Street plays planned to check school dropout rate

NEW DELHI, August 7 (APD): To check the high dropout rate in schools, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), is planning to organize street plays to spread awareness about the importance of education.

While the authorities will also be conducting coaching classes for weak students, there are plans to install about 1,500 CCTV cameras within a month in 518 schools in South Delhi.

Kamaljeet Sehrawat, the SDMC mayor said “The students of Class 3, 4 and 5 who are weak in studies will be offered coaching classes after school hours.”

SDMC would seek the help of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and corporate houses in educating children. “We have roped in some NGOs and corporate houses which will help us financially. A deal has been finalized to get grants for five schools in Central Zone and one in Dwarka,” the mayor added.

To help in making government schools more popular, a street playgroup called ‘believe in yourself’ has been hired to perform plays in schools of South Corporation.

Kamaljeet Sehrawat, explained, “The artistes will weave the play around the theme of importance of education.”

Since 2012 the number of children enrolling in government schools has decreased by 10-20%. According to reports, the quota for the economically weaker sections in private schools is also making many children who would had sought admission in government schools, turn to private schools.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)