Dhoni, gliders to draw kids to school

The good attendance awards for the students of Jharkhand would be a thrilling glider ride soon. After mid-day meals, uniform, barber facility, books and bicycles, Jharkhand government hopes that flying in a motor glider would attract more students to the schools and stop the drop-out rate.

"These are efforts to boost attendance in schools. Students with good attendance record will get the chance to fly in gliders," said HRD Minister Bandhu Tirkey. "We are also trying to rope in India One-Day captain M S Dhoni in April as part of efforts to stop dropout," Tirkey said.

The proposal for the motor-glider ride has been approved by Civil Aviation ministry recently and school children of Dumka would enjoy the first ride, the minister said.

"It will be a 10-15 minute ride for each student who would be selected after checking attendance register. Students of class III-VIII will be shortlisted for the ride," Tirkey said.

Expressing hope that the children would be excited by the latest idea to attend schools in tribal-dominated areas, the minister said, "Ideas are good, but strict monitoring of attendant is necessary."

An estimated Rs 42 lakh would be spent annually to fly students in gliders, the minister said. A trained attendant would be present during the trip. The glider would stay for five days in each district with two students flying at a time.

"Up to 200 students from each district will be selected for the trip. This will attract more students to schools. But we have to make more efforts to boost regular attendance," he added.

Construction of airstrips and other related facilities have begun, he said. But doctors have advised that children with a history of ache in the ear should intimate the authorities before taking the flight.

"Even a new-born can take a glider-ride, as it flies in specific conditions. But a child having a past history of ear ache should inform the authorities," Paediatrician Dr Ajit Sahay said.

"They can use ear-plug to avoid ache in the ear at the time of flying, otherwise the glider is safe. Only medicines like paracetamol are needed in emergency," said Sahai. The government had already provided barbers to the students to save "money and time" of the students.

The school authorities have been directed to see whether the students crop hair and trim nails regularly. "I told them that celebration of Global Hand-Washing Day is not a one-day affair. It should be followed daily," the minister said.

Tirkey said efforts were on to get Dhoni's appointment in April. "Already we have message from Dhoni in our literacy and health campaigns. Efforts are on to involve him in a programme in April," the minister said.