Round the clock student help desk set up at Thoothukudi Collectorate to guide higher education choices

The Hindu

27-06-2025

With the aim of increasing the higher education rate and reducing the dropout rate, a 24x7 control room has been established at the Thoothukudi District Collectorate. The centre provides guidance to students on continuing their higher education and offers information about vocational course options for those who were unable to clear their examination.
The 'Dream' control room was established on May 21, this year under the initiative 'Uyarvukku Padi' (education for upliftment) by District Collector K. Elambahavath, is designed to assist students in choosing suitable higher education courses based on their marks, advising students to apply for one or more courses for safer options, counselling for dropout students and supports various educational needs. Students and public can contact the control room at 9384697546 and 9788859175.
A total of 25 surplus teachers from the district have been assigned at the control room to support students. Earlier a survey was conducted by the district administration a target groups including parentless students, unwilling students, priority students, failed and absentees, drop outs from 2023-204 academic year and general category.
From this survey, the administration has identified 21, 505 students in the above categories and successfully facilitated 21,127 of them to apply for at least one course.
Additional focus was also given to BC minority girl students, students from coastal hamlets, differently abled students, persons studied in Tamil medium, children of conservancy workers and sports quota students.
Sudalaimuthu, an official from the control room said that the Centre has received a total of 253 calls so far. He added that the State government and district administration has identified around 2,000 vulnerable students across the district, and is working to ensure their enrolment in higher education.
The efforts to reach dropout students is being carried out through the officials from revenue department under the jurisdiction of respective Revenue Divisional Officers. This allows accurate mapping of dropout students, according to Mr. Sudalaimuthu. 'In cases where students have become labourers due to financial hardships, we have spoken to them and arranged for their education through the Collector's description fund and other support from the State Education Department,' he mentioned.
A total of 398 dropout children from current and previous academic years have been identified so far under the initiative, and efforts are underway to reintegrate them into the education system.
Speaking about the initiative, District Collector K. Elambahavath emphasised that the ultimate goal is to provide guidance for students from all walks of life, 'Everyone's problem is not the same,' he said. As the engineering rank list has been announced, 'We are also focusing on helping students make informed choices based on factors such as placement rates, NAAC-accredited colleges and other key criteria. This will give them a clearer picture before finalizing their options,' he added.