Gandhinagar, July 1 (IANS) More than 16.35 lakh students were enrolled across 37,211 schools in Gujarat during the state’s three-day ‘Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav’, Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said on Wednesday, highlighting the outcome of the annual campaign aimed at improving enrolment and reducing school dropouts.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Vaghani noted that the campaign was conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and focused on increasing literacy and ensuring universal school enrolment across the state.

“The 24th edition of the Shala Praveshotsav was launched from B.N. High School in Vadnagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi received his primary education,” he said.

Providing details of the admissions, Vaghani noted that more than 1.93 lakh children began their education in anganwadis and nursery schools during the campaign.

More than 4.34 lakh children enrolled in Balvatika, over 1.05 lakh students joined Class 1, more than 5.93 lakh students enrolled in Class 9, and over 3.08 lakh students secured admission to Class 11.

The Minister also said that 71,229 students returned to the education system through the state’s ‘Back to School Survey’, an initiative aimed at bringing children who had left school back into classrooms.

Speaking about measures to improve access to education, Vaghani said the state government had introduced new transport facilities in around 2,766 schools to assist students.

“13,084 meritorious girls were presented with Vidyalakshmi Bonds to encourage them to continue into higher education as part of efforts to promote girls’ education,” he noted.

The Minister also added, “Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, members of the Council of Ministers, public representatives and senior government officials personally visited schools across the state during the three-day campaign.”

He also said that donors from across Gujarat contributed more than Rs 28.97 crore in cash and materials during the drive, providing financial support for education-related activities.

“The campaign was organised with the objective of increasing Gujarat’s literacy rate and ensuring 100 per cent enrolment,” Vaghani said, adding that the statewide initiative was launched from Vadnagar as part of the annual school admission programme.

–IANS

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