Navsari: A special ‘Samaras Vidya Setu’ campaign was organised in Navsari to bring children who had dropped out of school back into the mainstream education system. The programme was held at S.S. Agrawal College under the joint initiative of the Education Department and Navsari district administration.
The programme was chaired by Gujarat Finance and Urban Development Minister Kanubhai Desai, with the presence and guidance of Tribal Development Minister Nareshbhai Patel.
The campaign has reportedly achieved significant results, with 4,073 dropout children in Navsari district successfully brought back into school education over the past four to five months. In addition, more than 1,200 students have been connected with ITI and skill development courses.
Government Focuses on Bringing Dropout Children Back to Education
Speaking at the event, Finance and Urban Development Minister Kanubhai Desai highlighted the important role played by teachers and parents in preventing children from leaving education. He appreciated the efforts of teachers, government officials and the district administration for identifying children who had discontinued their studies and helping them return to school.
Desai said the state government has implemented several schemes to ensure that financial or other difficulties do not interrupt students’ education. These include the Saraswati Vidya Sahay Yojana, along with the Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Namo Saraswati Yojana for students studying in Classes 9 to 12.
He also highlighted the long-term impact of the Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav, which were launched 25 years ago under the leadership of then Gujarat Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Desai, the initiatives have produced positive results in improving school enrolment and encouraging children to continue their education.
Navsari Aims for Zero Dropout Rate
Tribal Development Minister Nareshbhai Patel said Gujarat has come close to achieving a zero per cent school dropout rate as infrastructure and educational facilities have improved across the state.
He said the Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav initiatives launched in 2003 have shown significant results over the past 25 years. Patel further noted that social circumstances, migration of families and seasonal employment are among the reasons some children discontinue their education.
Children of families who migrate to other areas for agricultural work or labour can particularly face difficulties in continuing their schooling. Under the Samaras Vidya Setu campaign, government employees and education officials have been working to identify such children and reconnect them with education. The minister called for continued collective efforts to ensure that not a single child in Navsari district remains deprived of education.
4,073 Children Re-Enrolled in Schools
Navsari District Primary Education Officer A.M. Agrawal provided details about the campaign during the programme.
According to him, coordination between the Education Department and various other government departments over the last four to five months has helped bring 4,073 registered dropout children back into school education. More than 1,200 students have also been connected with ITIs and skill-oriented courses, providing them with alternative pathways for education, vocational training and employment-oriented skills.
The administration plans to continue the campaign for children who are still outside the education system. Special drives will be undertaken, including door-to-door efforts, to identify remaining dropout children and encourage them to re-enter education.
Flood-Affected Schools Also Under Monitoring
The programme also highlighted the challenges faced by schools affected by flooding. Some flood-affected schools reportedly suffered damage to new textbooks and computer laboratories. The Education Department is continuously monitoring these schools to ensure that damaged facilities are restored and made operational as soon as possible. Officials emphasised the importance of ensuring that disruption caused by natural events does not prevent children from continuing their education.
Re-Enrolled Students and Teachers Felicitated
During the programme, children who had returned to school through the campaign were presented with school bags by the ministers and officials.
Teachers who contributed to the campaign and helped bring dropout children back into education were also felicitated for their efforts. The recognition was aimed at encouraging teachers and field-level officials who are working to identify children outside the education system and reconnect them with schools or vocational education.
Officials and Public Representatives Attend Programme
Several elected representatives, senior officials, education department representatives, teachers and parents attended the event.
Those present included Navsari Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashokbhai Dhorachia, District Panchayat President Niraliben, MLA Rakeshbhai Desai, District Collector Manish Gurvani, Municipal Commissioner Jayesh Upadhyay, District Development Officer Kartik Jivani and Superintendent of Police Rahul Patel, among other officials and public representatives.
The Samaras Vidya Setu campaign is expected to continue its efforts to identify remaining dropout children and connect them with appropriate educational or skill-development opportunities. With 4,073 children already brought back into school and more than 1,200 linked with ITI and skill courses, the campaign represents a major push towards reducing school dropouts and improving educational participation across Navsari district.
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