Armed with app, BBMP set to register out-of-school children

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated its door-to-door survey to register out-of-school children.

Ten enumerators have been appointed to each ward to visit every home and conduct the survey. The BBMP has also appointed nodal officers in each of the eight zones to oversee the survey.

As per the Karnataka Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2012, local bodies are required to maintain a register of out-of-school children.

The survey will be conducted by the Centre for e-Governance Department through the mobile app 'Karnataka H2H Children Survey App', available on the Karnataka Government App Store.

In the previous survey conducted in 2022-23, the total number of out-of-school children (6 to 18 years of age) under the BBMP jurisdiction was 10,128.

"Every year, before the beginning of the academic session, the BBMP attempts to advertise about its schools, and school heads are directed to reach out for admissions. Considering limited resources, the BBMP can only reach out in a limited manner. To ensure all children attend school, we need the support of social welfare and other departments within and outside the BBMP," said Preeti Gehlot, Special Commissioner for Education, BBMP.

Preeti also added that the survey is completed more quickly with the help of NGOs and local organisations, who also assist in bringing back children from certain localities to schools by convincing their parents and regularly monitoring their attendance.