Uttar Pradesh launches ‘School Chalo’ drive to bring dropouts back into classrooms

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has initiated a fresh phase of its ‘School Chalo’ campaign, aiming to bring nearly 1.5 lakh out-of-school children back into the formal education system ahead of the new academic session.

Officials said the exercise will rely on ground-level surveys and digital tracking through the Sharda portal to identify children who have either dropped out or never enrolled. The focus will remain on vulnerable groups, including girls, children from economically weaker sections, and those with special needs.

The campaign comes at a time when concerns over learning gaps and post-pandemic dropouts continue to persist in several districts. By combining administrative outreach with community participation, the state hopes to improve retention and ensure continuity in schooling.

Teachers and local authorities have been directed to carry out door-to-door mobilisation, while schools are expected to create a more supportive environment to accommodate returning students. The success of the drive will depend not only on enrolment numbers but also on sustained attendance in the months that follow.