Kerala govt to launch campaign to improve school enrolment among migrant children

T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a special campaign would visit the residences of migrant workers and ensure school enrolment for all their children. The campaign is scheduled for May. The decision was made during a meeting that discussed the educational setbacks faced by the children of migrant workers.
The campaign will utilise the services of representatives from local self-govt institutions, Kudumbashree workers, teachers from nearby schools, and members of parent-teacher associations. The chief minister said a comprehensive educational programme for the children of migrant workers would be announced at the state govt's fourth-anniversary event in Ernakulam on May 7.
He said based on experiences from similar projects like the Roshni scheme and initiatives in Idukki and Kannur districts, the SCERT will prepare a comprehensive educational programme by April 30.
In the first week of May, a meeting involving the departments of general education, local self-govt, labour, social justice, women and child welfare, and health will finalise the action plan prepared by SCERT.
All local self-govt institutions must maintain a register regarding school enrolment. This register should be updated every six months, and data on the education of migrant workers' children should be specially recorded, the chief minister directed.
To ensure continuity of education for children from migrant worker families who move seasonally, a registration system should be established in the areas they relocate to. Health check-ups and medical camps should be organised for the children and their parents if necessary. Awareness programmes on hygiene, substance abuse, and healthy habits should also be conducted, he added.
At the ward or local self-govt institution level, public spaces should be created for cultural exchange by organising art, sports, and creative activities during holidays, involving local children.
It was previously decided to register migrant workers. A special portal and mobile application for Aadhaar-based registration were planned, which will include modules to assist in collecting information related to children, the chief minister added.
The meeting was attended by education minister V Sivankutty, labour department secretary K Vasuki, director of public education A Shajahan, and labour commissioner Sufna Nazaruddin, among others.