GCC Identifies 7,302 Out-of-School Children, Aims to Re-Enrol Them by August 31

The Greater Chennai Corporation has identified 7,302 out-of-school children across the city and set an implementation target to facilitate their re-enrolment by August 31. GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran announced the initiative during a coordination and implementation meeting held at the Amma Maligai Auditorium at Ripon Buildings.

According to data shared by the civic body, boys account for more than 59% of the out-of-school children in corporation schools. In total, 4,308 boys and 2,994 girls have been identified as being out of the formal school system. The corporation is compiling community-wise details to enable targeted interventions.

Commissioner Sameeran noted that many of these children remain invisible because of migration, frequent relocation, single-parent households, parental neglect, or economic hardship. Special focus will be directed toward children with disabilities or medical conditions, those at risk of child labour, and those confronting obstacles caused by poverty.

The civic body's plan relies on door-to-door identification, strengthening linkages between schools and communities, and collaborating across departments, including social welfare, labour, and health. Officials stressed that the initiative aims to address underlying socio-economic challenges and facilitate access to entitlements, rather than focusing solely on basic enrolment numbers.

The meeting at Ripon Buildings was organised in coordination with the Gender and Policy Lab, the Education Department, and the Community Development and Socio-Economic Development Wings of the GCC. During the session, 96 community organisers from the National Urban Livelihoods Mission received training to conduct field-level follow-ups and assist with the re-enrolment drive.

Under the proposed administrative structure, community organisers will play a central role in verifying children on the ground, engaging with families, offering counselling support, and tracking sustained school attendance to ensure students do not drop out again.