Rajahmundry, June 22^nd: The Badibata program taken up by the state government to enroll children who have crossed five years of age and also school dropouts for formal education turned to be successful in both East and West Godavari districts. In west Godavari, as many as 50, 352 children were there who have crosses five years of age. Target is set by the authorities to enroll nearly 25,000 children in various schools in 46 mandals and two urban areas.

Of the identified 4,571 out of schools children or school dropouts, nearly 1,190 children were enrolled in residential and non residential bridge centers. 5,650 children joined in mass Aksharabhyasam organized at 28 places in the district on June 18. The authorities have also taken measures to ensure that most children who have cleared class V to continue their studies with out a break by taking admission in Class VI.

In East Godavari district, the Sarva Sikha Abhiyan authorities have managed to enroll 29,500 children in government and aided schools. Similarly out of the targeted 1,922 children who are out of school, only 675 children were enrolled in RBCs and NRBs while 1,248 children are yet to be enrolled. With regard to 52,387 students who cleared class V, the authorities managed to enroll only 27,605 children in class VI so far and efforts are on to get admission for the remaining students.