Punjab education dept launches household survey to track out-of-school children

Punjab School Education Department has launched a comprehensive household survey 2026-27 to identify never-enrolled, dropout and out-of-school children (OoSC) across the state, with the exercise scheduled for completion by December 22, 2025.

Officials said the survey will cover children aged 6 to 19 years, with special focus on vulnerable categories including children of migrant labourers, construction workers, nomadic tribes, street-living or street-working children, those found at traffic signals, under flyovers or at railway stations, domestic-help children, ragpickers and children without adult protection.

Schools have also been instructed to identify pavement dwellers’ children and those working in dhabas, eateries or garages.

District Education Officers (DEOs), school heads, cluster heads and field teachers have been directed to verify data through door-to-door visits, ensuring accurate information on enrolment status, attendance, learning levels and mainstreaming requirements.

Verification committees will conduct ground checks of age groups 3–6, 7–14 and 15–19, ensuring no child remains outside the formal education system.

The survey is part of the Ministry of Education’s larger national initiative to ensure 100% tracking and mainstreaming of all out-of-school children, with Punjab’s field teams monitoring progress at every level from village to district.