Sat Nov 30 18:36:59 UTC 2024: ## Aadhaar Requirement Creates Barriers for Migrant Children’s School Enrollment in Tamil Nadu

**Chennai, December 1, 2024** – The Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s Aadhaar through Schools initiative, aimed at providing Aadhaar cards and linked bank accounts to all students, is facing significant hurdles, particularly for children of migrant workers. The mandatory linking of Aadhaar with the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) and the requirement of bank accounts for receiving welfare benefits are proving insurmountable for many families lacking necessary documentation.

Many children, like Mikkel, a Class V student, lack birth certificates, a prerequisite for Aadhaar. Their parents, often daily wage earners, are unable to take time off work to obtain the necessary documents from their home states. This issue is widespread, affecting thousands of children from migrant communities across Tamil Nadu. Twins Vaishnavi and Bhavani faced similar difficulties, with one obtaining an Aadhaar card while the other’s application was rejected due to suspected duplication.

Even with the initiative’s efforts to simplify the process, challenges persist. These include missing documents, lack of digital birth certificates, incorrect addresses, and name discrepancies (e.g., Hindi names on English birth certificates). The absence of Aadhaar prevents students from accessing welfare benefits like scholarships and government assistance. Furthermore, the inability to open bank accounts, often due to missing identity documents, forces schools to open post office accounts, which also requires Aadhaar.

While the Supreme Court ruled against mandatory Aadhaar for exams or enrollment, teachers report this ruling is not consistently followed in Tamil Nadu, creating ongoing difficulties. Schools and teachers have resorted to providing bonafide certificates, but these are no longer accepted. Many teachers are going to great lengths, including accompanying students to their home states to obtain necessary documents.

The School Education Department acknowledges the problem and states that they have enrolled 30 lakh children so far, aiming for completion by January. They suggest schools should work with the Collector and Revenue Department to assist students. However, NGOs like SAVE highlight the lack of awareness among parents and the fear and uncertainty surrounding the process which contributes to the exclusion of these children from the education system. The situation highlights the disparity faced by migrant children and the need for a more inclusive and accessible system for obtaining essential documents.

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