Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Prepares for 21st Shala Praveshotsav

Ahmedabad – Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the 21st Shala Praveshotsav, focusing on the future of children in Gujarat. Chairing a preparatory meeting in Gandhinagar on Monday, Patel stressed the importance of quality education and infrastructure from rural to urban areas.

The Shala Praveshotsav, scheduled from June 26 to 28, will see more than 11.70 lakh children enrolling in Balvatikas, along with 3.60 lakh children starting class 1. Education Minister Kuberbhai Dindor highlighted the integration of the National Education Policy 2020, noting the state government’s efforts to track eligible children through technology, ensuring seamless admissions.

Dindor explained that the education and health departments collaborated to use birth and vaccination records to identify every eligible child. The names of these children have been distributed to affiliated schools, ensuring all are admitted. Continuous monitoring of students will be conducted through the 'Vidya Samiksha Kendra' to guarantee educational completion.

In recent years, primary schools in Gujarat have seen significant infrastructural transformations. Under the World Bank-supported Mission School of Excellence, facilities such as 50,000 new school rooms, around 100,000 smart classrooms, and approximately 2,500 computer-STEM labs will soon be implemented in about 15,000 primary and 5,000 secondary schools.

Dr. Vinod Rao, Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education, announced the creation of 33 district-level and 254 tehsil-level Vidya Samiksha Kendra-dashboards. These dashboards will aid in data analysis and online monitoring of students during the school entrance festival. This comprehensive program was broadcast live across the state via BISAG, engaging numerous officers and teachers.

The meeting also showcased a short film highlighting the education department’s achievements. Director of Primary Education, Dr. M.I. Joshi, expressed gratitude to all participants. Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, along with senior IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, attended the meeting.

For the past two decades, the state education department has been organizing Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav to promote girl education, a concept initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This year’s festival, themed 'Festival of Joyful Education' (Ujvaani Ullasamaya Shikshani), will take place from June 26 to 28.