Education Reimagined: UP's SHARDA Initiative to Reconnect Children with Schools

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a comprehensive household survey under the 'School Har Din Aaye Abhiyan' (SHARDA) to reconnect children to formal education for the academic year 2025-26. The initiative seeks to identify children aged 6 to 14 in both rural and urban settings who are not in school, aiming for educational inclusion statewide.

The survey will unfold in two phases: the first from July 1 to 31 and the second from August 16 to September 15, 2025. It will cover various communities, including slums and tribal regions, with dropouts defined as children who have never enrolled, haven't attended for over 30 days, or scored below 35% in key assessments.

School teams, comprising educators and volunteers, will conduct the surveys, facilitate child enrollment in age-appropriate classes, and provide targeted educational support. Additional measures include regular home visits and linkage with social welfare schemes for needy families. The initiative is a priority for the state government, promoting the philosophy that education should reach every child.

(With inputs from agencies.)