Kerala’s Education Drive: Bringing Migrant Children Into the Fold

Kerala has launched a groundbreaking initiative to integrate migrant children into the state’s education system, ensuring they receive structured learning opportunities despite frequent relocations. The programme, titled Aayie Ek Saath Sikhen (Let’s Learn Together), aims to enroll children of migrant workers in Anganwadis and public schools, providing multilingual support and community outreach.  

 

The number of migrant children in Kerala’s schools has surged from 21,299 in the 2023–24 academic year to 24,525, prompting the Department of Public Education to introduce targeted measures. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has developed guidelines to support inclusive learning, including multilingual volunteers for classrooms with a high concentration of migrant students.  

 

To encourage enrollment, local panchayat members are leading awareness campaigns in migrant worker residential areas. Children aged three to six will be placed in Anganwadis, while those above six years will be admitted to schools. Anganwadi workers are conducting ward-level data collection to ensure no child is left behind.  

 

With an estimated 35 lakh migrant workers in Kerala, the initiative marks a significant step toward educational inclusivity, reinforcing the state’s commitment to universal learning.  

 

Sources: Mathrubhumi, Economic Times, SCERT Kerala, Tribune India, MSN News