Kerala launches special education program for children of migrant laborers

The children of migrant laborers will receive formal education through a special program initiated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The campaign, set to launch in May, will focus on addressing the educational challenges faced by this disadvantaged group and ensuring school enrollment for all children living in migrant labor camps.

To create an effective outreach program, the campaign will enlist the help of Kudumbasree employees, local self-government members, teachers from nearby schools, and parent-teacher associations.

During the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's fourth anniversary celebrations in Ernakulam on May 7, a high-level meeting was held on April 8, 2025, to discuss the welfare of migrant workers.

The meeting also decided to implement a comprehensive educational program for the children of migrant laborers.

By April 30, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will have the program ready, building on the success of Project Roshni and similar initiatives in the Idukki and Kannur districts aimed at educating migrant children.

To finalize the action plan created by SCERT, a conference will be held in the first week of May with senior representatives from the General Education, Local Self-Government, Labor, Social Justice, Women and Child Welfare, and Health Departments.

Local self-governments will be required to maintain a specific register, updated every two years, containing detailed information on the education of migrant workers' children to track school admissions.

To ensure that children moving due to seasonal migration continue their education, a registration system will be implemented.

In addition to educational campaigns on substance abuse, hygiene, and health practices, children and their families will also have access to medical camps and health screenings.

Public spaces for sports, the arts, and creative activities will be developed at the ward and local body levels during school holidays to encourage cultural exchange between local and migrant children.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to create a unique mobile application and platform for Aadhaar-based guest worker registration, which will include features to collect information on children's schooling.

The meeting was attended by General Education Minister V Sivankutty, Labor Secretary K Vasuki, General Education Director Shanavas S, and Labor Commissioner Safna Nazarudeen.