Karnataka faces a serious education challenge — with a secondary school dropout rate of 22%, significantly higher than the national average of 14% in 2023–24. While primary and upper primary dropout rates stand lower at 1.7% and 2.7% respectively, the spike in later years is alarming.

Despite the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009, dropout numbers remain a concern. But in Gadag, a determined campaign is rewriting the narrative — with officials on a mission to find and bring back missing children.

Led by Minister for Law and Tourism and Gadag MLA HK Patil, the district has launched a grassroots initiative titled ‘Come, Come to School, for a Bright Future’, beginning in June. The campaign is a collaboration between the Gadag Deputy Director’s Office, Area Education Officer, and Siddalinga Nagar Government High School.

Officials in both towns and villages are actively searching farms and worksites to identify children who left school, and personally visiting their homes to speak with parents. A structured plan was followed: survey, list, map, visit — and persuade.

The results are already promising. As of Saturday, 14 students in Gadag town, 11 in Ron, and eight in rural Gadag have returned to classrooms. The campaign is still in its early stages, but hope is spreading.

Twelve-year-old Chittaranjan (name changed) said: “We’re grateful they came for us. Many of our friends are now returning.”

HK Patil noted, “Educating every child is the path to a dignified life and a stronger nation.”