AMPATI: In a concerted effort to promote education and combat school dropouts in Meghalaya, the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA), in partnership with Red FM 93.5 and the Education Department, has launched the “Back-to-School” campaign in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills.
The campaign, held at Garobadha and Ampati market on Thursday, aimed to emphasize the importance of education as a fundamental right and encourage citizens to reintegrate school dropouts into formal education.
Under the slogan “Opening Doors For Education to Children” and the tagline “Securing Free and Compulsory Education to Children of Meghalaya,” the initiative highlighted alternative educational opportunities like the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to ensure inclusive access to education.
At the heart of this campaign is the promotion of education as a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Constitution of India.
Addressing the public, officials underscored the crucial role of education in shaping individuals into productive and responsible citizens.
They emphasized the responsibility of parents to ensure their children receive formal education, regardless of personal challenges.
To facilitate this, the campaign provided essential information such as a toll-free helpline (15100) for school dropouts to return to school irrespective of their age. They also informed that the centre for NIOS registration in the district is Springfield School Ampati.
To engage the community, the campaign included interactive elements like a quiz competition and a dance performance.
Key speakers, including the Radio Jockey of Red FM 93.5, South West Garo Hills School Education Officer Tapos Marak, and members of the District Legal Services Authority, discussed the pressing issue of school dropouts in the region.
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The event was also attended by Chief Judicial Magistrates, court staff, and education department officials.
This campaign is a significant step towards bridging educational gaps in Meghalaya and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
