Kerala Government Launches ‘Jyothi’ to Educate Children of Migrant Workers

Thiruvananthapuram: The Government of Kerala has launched a new initiative titled ‘Jyothi’ to ensure access to education for the children of migrant workers living in the state. This ambitious programme aims to uphold Kerala’s tradition of universal and free public education by extending it to the families of migrant labourers.
With over 35 lakh migrant workers contributing to Kerala’s economy across various sectors, many live in the state with their families. While most of their children are enrolled in schools, a section remains excluded—often left on the streets without access to formal education. Addressing this issue, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised that denying these children their right to education would be a serious social failure. “If these children continue living on the streets, their lives could be ruined. Providing them proper education is a responsibility the state must take seriously,” he said while inaugurating the initiative.
The Chief Minister urged local self-governments to maintain accurate records of migrant workers residing in their areas, including details on the school attendance of their children. This data collection will be integrated into the state’s education register.
He also stressed the role of schools and teachers in the success of Jyothi. “Teachers and education teams should visit migrant families and ensure that children are attending school. It’s not just the duty of the government, but of the entire community,” he added.
The Jyothi programme aims to enroll all migrant children aged 3 to 6 in anganwadis and integrate those aged 6 and above into government schools. In addition to educational support, the scheme emphasises cultural inclusion and awareness through a new cultural education coordination effort.
Describing the initiative as a vital step toward inclusive development, the Chief Minister noted that Jyothi would significantly enhance the well-being and empowerment of migrant workers and their families in Kerala.