The district of Simdega recently concluded its successful District Level Mukhiya Conference 2025, held at the scenic Kelagah Dam and organized by the Jharkhand Education Project Council. This significant event brought together local representatives to focus on enhancing the educational landscape within their communities. Key themes addressed included strengthening school management, improving the quality of education, boosting student enrollment figures, preventing school dropouts, developing essential school facilities, and fostering robust community participation. Deputy Commissioner Kanchan Singh officially inaugurated the conference, emphasizing the vital role of Mukhiyas as the primary facilitators of educational progress in rural areas. She highlighted that proactive engagement and regular oversight by Mukhiyas are crucial for increasing student attendance and enrollment. The Deputy Commissioner called for heightened vigilance regarding teacher and student attendance, school cleanliness, and the effective implementation of the Midday Meal scheme. She proposed that ward members in villages with multiple schools could conduct focused inspections, noting the value of unannounced visits. A sensitive aspect discussed was the emotional support required by children in residential schools. Mukhiyas were urged to dedicate time to interact with these children, engaging them in play, sharing words of encouragement, and offering academic guidance, recognizing that such efforts can bring about significant positive changes. The choice of Kelagah Dam as the venue aimed to simultaneously highlight the district’s tourism potential and address educational matters. Discussions included proposals for active tourism committees, the implementation of parking fees, penalties for littering, and a complete ban on plastics and thermocol at picnic sites to protect the environment. Simdega’s dedication to environmental stewardship was reinforced, with an appeal to Mukhiyas to educate their communities on reducing plastic pollution. The Deputy Commissioner also committed to streamlining processes for issuing caste and residential certificates for children facing technical difficulties, requesting direct input from representatives. Superintendent of Police M. Arshi emphasized the need for grassroots awareness to drive educational improvements, stating that committed Mukhiyas are instrumental in ensuring every child receives a quality education. During the interactive session, Mukhiyas and district council representatives raised important issues, including challenges in obtaining caste certificates for children from specific communities, which affects their access to educational schemes and scholarships. They also highlighted difficulties in processing certificates for children of single mothers. The Deputy Commissioner assured that these issues would be addressed with high priority and requested the necessary lists of affected children. The conference also featured updates on improvements in NITI Aayog education standards.
