<h1>Chief minister credits teachers for cutting school dropout rate from 35% in 2003 to 0.85% this year</h1> The state chief minister praised teachers for reducing the school dropout rate, attributing the decline from 35% in 2003 to 0.85% this year to initiatives such as an annual enrolment drive and programs targeting girls' education, quality improvement and community engagement. He met 37 innovative teachers, presented awards to outstanding educators, and urged the teaching community to promote national development goals and stress-free, affordable learning consistent with recent education policy measures and fiscal reforms. Several teachers described local innovations including school media channels and use of teaching-learning materials to improve outcomes.