The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has launched the 'School Ruaar 2026' initiative, a 21-day campaign aimed at bringing out-of-school children back into the education system and reducing dropout rates to below 1% this year. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act. While the state has achieved near-universal enrolment at the primary level, retaining students in higher grades remains a challenge. The campaign will involve a door-to-door outreach program conducted by teachers, anganwadi workers, and local representatives to identify children who have dropped out or never enrolled. Special emphasis will be placed on enrolling children above the age of 5 and ensuring their progression to secondary education. The initiative will also utilize the e-Vidyavahini system for real-time monitoring. Shashi Ranjan, state project director of JEPC, emphasized the need for students to feel excited about school, while Badal Raj, the Ranchi district superintendent of education, noted a significant reduction in the dropout rate from 9% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025. Parents have welcomed this initiative, recognizing its role in promoting the importance of education.