DADENGGRE, Oct 22: Concerned over high school dropout rates in the Damal Asim area of West Garo Hills, education officials have called for concerted efforts by parents, teachers and community leaders to bring children back to school, with early marriage identified as a major factor behind students leaving their studies.
The issue was highlighted at an awareness programme on education and early marriage held at Damal Asim Deficit Higher Secondary School on Thursday. The programme was organised by the Block Resource Centre (BRC), Dadenggre, under the Education Department, in collaboration with the school.
Tengme M. Marak, Block Mission Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Dadenggre, said recent statistics indicated high dropout rates in the area, with early marriage contributing to students discontinuing their education.
She urged parents, teachers, the Nokma and other community members to counsel students and work towards their re-admission so they could complete their schooling.
Marak called for collective efforts to achieve zero dropouts in the area, stressing that children who had left school needed guidance and support to return.
She also suggested introducing integrated community learning activities, including music and sports, in schools to keep students engaged and encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities suited to their interests.
The programme also highlighted the role of community leadership in addressing educational challenges.
P. G. Momin, Nokma of the area and former headmaster of the school, spoke about the history and geographical setting of Damal Asim and the establishment of education in the region. He noted that many students from the area had gone on to achieve success.
However, Momin expressed concern that despite the presence of many educated people in the community, there were few willing to represent it when needed.
He also cautioned against the improper use of social media, saying that although it had its benefits, excessive dependence on mobile phones could have harmful consequences. He expressed support for holding counselling sessions for students in the future.
Phangcheng Ch. Sangma, Cluster Resource Person at the BRC, Dadenggre, urged students to take their education seriously and pursue their studies with a clear purpose.
With resources limited, he said, developing skills was important for students seeking better opportunities and success in the future.
Sangma also stressed the importance of Aadhaar enrolment and maintaining essential documents, including birth certificates, noting that such records were required for school-going children to access various government assistance and financial benefits.
Representatives from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Medical Department in Dadenggre, along with the headmaster of Damal Asim Deficit Higher Secondary School, also spoke at the programme.
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