A significant district-level Mukhiya (village head) conference for 2025 was successfully organized at the picturesque Kelagah Dam in Simdega, Jharkhand. Spearheaded by the Jharkhand Education Project Council, the event aimed to empower local representatives with crucial insights into school management, enhancing educational quality, boosting enrollment, preventing dropouts, developing infrastructure, and fostering community participation in education. The Deputy Commissioner, Kanchan Singh, inaugurated the conference, emphasizing the vital role of Mukhiyas as ‘guardians of the schools.’ She highlighted that the progress of rural educational institutions hinges on the leadership and consistent oversight of Mukhiyas, which can lead to improvements in student attendance and enrollment. Key areas requiring attention include teacher-student attendance, sanitation, and the Midday Meal scheme. Singh also suggested that in larger villages, ward members could take on the responsibility of inspecting individual schools, and unannounced visits can prove highly effective. The conference also focused on the emotional well-being of children in residential schools, with an appeal to Mukhiyas to spend time with them, engage in recreational activities, share motivational stories, and provide academic guidance. This initiative, she noted, could profoundly impact the lives of these young students. Beyond education, the summit addressed tourism potential and environmental protection. By hosting the event at Kelagah Dam, participants were made aware of local tourism prospects. Suggestions included activating tourism committees, implementing parking fees, imposing fines for littering, and banning plastics and thermocol at picnic spots. Simdega’s commitment to environmental conservation was stressed, urging representatives to educate the public against plastic pollution. The Deputy Commissioner also assured prompt solutions for technical issues hindering the issuance of caste and residential certificates for children, requesting lists of such cases from the representatives. Superintendent of Police M. Arshi underscored the importance of grassroots awareness for education, stating that committed Mukhiyas can ensure quality education for every child. Representatives voiced concerns regarding difficulties in obtaining caste certificates for children from specific communities like Domra and Chikbadaik, impacting their access to educational and scholarship schemes. Issues related to issuing certificates for children of abandoned or single women were also raised. The Deputy Commissioner pledged to address these matters on priority. The conference concluded with updates on improvements in NITI Aayog education standards and discussions with local representatives.
