Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched Shala Praveshotsav, the annual state-wide school enrolment drive of the govt, from Mahisagar district on Thursday. The CM, ministers and more than 400 officials of the administration will pan out in all districts to enrol children in kindergarten and Classes 1, 9 and 11 as part of the drive.An official statement said that the motto of this year’s Shala Praveshotsav is ‘Celebration of Society’. This is the 23rd edition of the annual school enrolment programme, which was started by PM Modi in 2003 when he was the chief minister of the state.Citing the success of Shala Praveshotsav, the CM noted that the school dropout rate dropped from 35% in 2003 to just 0.85% today. He added that the state govt, through schemes like Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati, ensured that financial constraints do not hinder the education of students.An official statement said that assembly speaker Shankar Chaudhary, members of the state cabinet, and various officials welcomed young children entering school for the first time. Chaudhary enrolled children in schools in the border villages of Devta, Dipda and Mota Mesra in the Tharad taluka of Banaskantha district.Health minister Rushikesh Patel enrolled children in the girls’ high school in Unjha, Mehsana district. Agriculture minister Raghavji Patel presented educational kits and enrolled new students in schools in Jambuda, Alia and Bala villages of Jamnagar district. Water supply minister Kunvarji Bavaliya enrolled children in schools in Gorakhamadhi, Kadwar, and Dhamlej villages of Sutrapada Taluka, Gir Somnath district.The statement said that industries minister Balvantsinh Rajput enrolled children in schools in Siddhpur and Khodiyarpura of Patan district. Education minister Kuberbhai Dindor enrolled 35 students eligible for admission at Sukhsar Agriculture School in Fatepura taluka, Dahod district. Women and child welfare minister Bhanuben Babariya enrolled children eligible for admission to primary schools and kindergartens in Gandhinagar city. Forest and environment minister Mulubhai Bera took part in the enrolment drive at Khambhaliya in Devbhumi Dwarka district.Sapling plantation programmes were also held at several places to mark the annual school enrolment drive being held till June 28, the statement added.
