In a proactive move to address student absenteeism and safeguard child rights, the Odisha School and Mass Education Department has issued directives requiring school authorities to conduct home visits for students who miss classes for a week or more.
This initiative aims to identify underlying reasons for irregular attendance and ensure every child’s right to education is upheld.
According to the letter sent by the Directorate of Elementary Education, all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) have been instructed to implement this policy immediately. The guidelines emphasise that teachers or school representatives must personally visit the homes of absent students to understand the causes—ranging from health issues to family circumstances—and provide necessary support to encourage regular school attendance.
The directive includes an attached advisory from the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), which outlines best practices for protecting children’s rights during such interventions.
The department has urged all DEOs and BEOs to disseminate this information to schools under their jurisdiction and monitor compliance.
This comes amid ongoing efforts to improve enrollment and retention rates in the state’s primary and secondary education system, aligning with national goals under the Right to Education Act.
