Bhopal, April 1 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Wednesday launched the four-day ‘School Chalen Hum’ (let’s go to school) campaign from Government Model Higher Secondary School in Bhopal, marking the beginning of the new academic session with a strong push for universal school enrollment and quality education.

The drive, running from April 1 to April 4, aims to motivate every child across the state’s 55 districts and over 50,000 villages to step into classrooms, ensuring no child is left behind.

The ‘School Chalen Hum’ campaign, aligned with the ‘Pravesh Utsav’, focuses on the timely distribution of over 5.6 crore textbooks, foundational literacy workbooks, and bridge courses.

It reinforces the Madhya Pradesh government’s commitment, in synergy with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to build an educated and empowered future generation.

In his address at the state-level Praveshotsav (admission festival), CM Yadav highlighted the transformative changes in the state’s education landscape. “We are living in a time of transformation,” he said, contrasting the present with the past when even receiving a bicycle from school was a rare event.

He praised students for being fortunate to receive free textbooks, bicycles, financial assistance for school uniforms, and other support. “The government is thinking about your welfare in myriad ways,” he added, urging applause for these initiatives.

The Chief Minister lauded the collective efforts of teachers, parents, and the education department in achieving a zero dropout rate at the primary level. This success has led to a significant 19.6 per cent increase in overall school enrollment for the 2025-26 academic year, with government schools witnessing an even more impressive 32.4 per cent growth.

Public trust in government schools is clearly on the rise, he noted.

A major highlight was the establishment of Sandipani Vidyalayas (formerly known as CM Rise Schools), which have been upgraded into exemplary institutions equipped with sports grounds, libraries, and modern facilities for holistic child development. These schools, along with “PM-SHRI” Schools, are witnessing a reverse migration trend, with students shifting from private institutions to these government-run centres of excellence.

CM Yadav expressed pride that some of the finest schools in the country are now being built in Madhya Pradesh.

Under the National Education Policy 2020, the government is distributing 49 new Hindi textbooks and 69 in local languages, particularly in tribal areas. Uniforms have already reached 5.5 million students, while bicycles and other aids are strengthening sibling bonds and easing daily commutes, as shared through heartwarming student anecdotes during the event, the chief minister said.

The Chief Minister announced continued support for marginalised sections.

The department operates 1,913 hostels with a capacity of 95,000 students from the Scheduled Castes, and over 20 lakh students are studying in 25,439 schools under the Scheduled Castes Welfare Department. In 2024-25 and 2025-26, nearly 1,94,000 meritorious students (scoring 75 per cent or above) received laptops, with another Rs 250 crore allocated in the budget for rewarding school toppers with scooters.

Admission processes for Classes 1, 6, and 9 have been simplified, and the state has issued appointment orders for approximately 76,325 teachers to ensure quality learning environments.

The enrollment target for the current session has been set ambitiously at 1.45 crore students, CM Yadav said.

The Chief Minister called upon teachers, parents, and communities to take a personal pledge to guide every child.

He recounted inspiring stories, including a child who returned to school after an accident due to collective encouragement. “Every child deserves to attend school, become educated, and soar on the wings of their dreams — whether to become an IAS, IPS officer, teacher, leader, or successful farmer,” the CM emphasised.

He urged students to rise, clench their fists, and commit fully to studies.

–IANS

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