Ranchi, Dec 12: In an attempt to motivate children back to school the State Government has initiated a unique idea to celebrate birthdays of poor kids at schools.

The latest step has been taken after mid-day meals and distribution of free uniforms, could not produce expected results of bringing back children to schools.

The programme especially focusses on the poor tribal children for whom celebration of birthdays is like a dream, many of them are not even aware about their birth date.

The programme is being implemented in the Naxal-affected areas, as these areas have the highest number of school dropouts.

Shivangi Khalko, a tribal child has never been to school because her parents didn’t want. But the novel programme initiated by the administration motivated her parents to send their child to school.

"Today is my birthday. I am celebrating my birthday in school for the first time. I have never celebrated my birthday. Today, everyone has participated in my birthday celebration. I am very happy," said little Shivangi, who is now enrolled to a government school in Karamotli.

Many others have also started attending school driven by birthday celebrations and encouraging environment.

Kids are enjoying their time, as they can have a fun-filled gala time apart from learning new thing as part of their studies.

Not only children but teachers in these schools are also delighted to notice students turning up at schools.

"We are celebrating birthdays of children in schools. These children belong to very poor families. They don''t celebrate their birthdays at their homes and that''s why we have come up with this scheme to boost their morale. It''s a practice from our side to lure these students to school. We want more and more students to be educated," said Nirmala Singh, a teacher at a government school, Karamotli.

For those who are unaware about their birth date, the school authority decides the birthday for kids.

The state Education Minister is thrilled by the response to the programme, which people have shown.

"We have started this Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (Education for All), to indulge all the non school going children in this programme. We are celebrating birthdays of all the school going children, this is a practice to lure the kids to go to school," said Bandhu Tirkey, Minister of Education, Jharkhand.

In Practice it is seen as a commendable act on part of the state administration. (ANI)