While less than 600 kids were put into schools in Gaya, the figures were even lower in Arwal (440), Banka (410) and Aurangabad (284). But over 2,000 children were enrolled in Jehanabad a strong Maoist base.
"We have been facing difficulties in convincing poor people to let their children go to school in the Maoist-affected areas," a police official told IANS.
The education drive is seen as a remarkable achievement in a state where an estimated 1.4 million children aged 6-14 are out of school. Bihar's literacy rate is a dismal 47 percent much below the national average. The school dropout rate is also high.
The police have also made efforts to include children of sex workers in the education initiative. A few days ago, police at Sasaram town in Rohtas district, about 250 km from here, enrolled about 50 sex workers' children in a government school.
Additional Director General of Police Abhyanand said the force would intensify its campaign to send more poor children to schools. "Our target is big and we will work to fulfil it."
Abhyanand is also one of the brains behind the Super-30 idea where 30 poor students are given free training, food and shelter to crack the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exam.
Last year, 28 of the 30 students selected by him got the IIT exam.
(Source-http://www.freshnews.in/bihar-kids-go-to-school-thanks-to-police-3336)
