Bhubaneswar: In an effort to check dropouts and protect right to education of children, the Odisha government has directed school authorities to visit the homes of students who remain absent for a week or more.
As part of the initiative, the Directorate of Elementary Education has issued a new advisory asking all government and government-aided schools to conduct home visits for students who have been absent for a week or more. The move comes following guidelines from the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR).
The advisory warns that prolonged absenteeism can lead to school dropouts, child labour, and early marriage. Schools have been instructed to ensure that teachers, headmasters, or members of the School Management Committee (SMC) personally visit the homes of absent students to identify reasons for their absence and provide timely support.
As per the OSCPCR, these visits can help encourage re-enrollment, prevent child exploitation, and safeguard the overall welfare of children.
This initiative is in line with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, highlighting the role of local authorities in monitoring attendance and protecting children’s rights.
District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) have been instructed to implement the advisory immediately and report compliance to ensure that no child is left behind in the education system.
