More than 8 lakh children not enrolled in school: Survey

By Our Correspondent

New Delhi, Sept. 8: As the world celebrated International Literacy Day on Monday, the capital still has at least 8.48 lakh children in the age group of 0-14 who are not enrolled in schools, according to a survey presented by the state education director Rajendra Kumar.

Out of total population of 29.68 lakh children in the age group of 0-14 in the capital, only 21.4 lakh were enrolled in school leaving 29 per cent of the children in this age group out of school. This fact has come to the light in a survey conducted under universilisation of elementary education mission by the state education department of the Delhi government.

While the highest rate of students not enrolled in this age group were in Northwest district with 28 per cent, it was followed by upscale South district with localities like Defence Colony and Hauz Khas with 17 per cent of children out of school, the survey said.

The lowest was in New Delhi district with one per cent not enrolled there, the survey said.

Talking to the reporters, the Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said: "It is not the final data but it is fairly good indicator of the situation in the national capital."

"Now the education department of the Delhi government will do its best to improve the condition," she said. The chief minister further said: "The plan for carrying out these activities in a phased manner is under preparation. This will ensure there is no sudden strain on the school education system and our children are not deprived of quality learning at any point in time."

"The education department in association with the MCD will work hard to improve the quality of education in the city also," she said on a very optimistic note