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Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kanya Kelavani-Shala Praveshotsav: Getting potential drop-outs back to school— has Gujarat aced the test with its enrolment drive?
At a government-run school in Maninagar, Minister of State for Co-operation, Jagdish Vishwakarma, is leading the Kanya Kelavani-Shala Praveshotsav, a three-day statewide school enrolment drive. Students of Classes 9-12 took part in a quiz where they were asked: 'Fifty years back, an incident happened that was taken note of by the world, what was that?' 'Bandharan Hatya Divas' (Constitution Assassination Day)', a girl studying in Class 10 at Sri Ramkrishna Vidyalaya answered after two-three attempts by others. She got a silver idol of Lord Rama as a reward. The annual drive, which kicked off on Thursday, sees the chief minister, ministers, state and district officials travelling to urban and rural areas to encourage parents to enrol their children in schools. On Friday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was at a government primary school in Gandhinagar's Pundrasan village, where he urged parents to ensure enrolment of their children in schools and avail the benefits of government schemes. When the drive started, Gujarat would record a nearly 40% drop-out rate in Classes 1-7. Launched by the then CM Narendra Modi, now the Prime Minister, in 2003-04, where his team of ministers and bureaucrats would lead enrolment drives in Class 1, the state's flagship initiative has over the years incorporated a technology-driven tracking of children by assigning them a unique identity through the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK). This year, it is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to 'predict' drop-outs so that there could be specific interventions. The objective of the drive is to ensure no child, who is eligible to go to school, is left out. The focus this year has gradually shifted from primary to secondary and higher secondary schools. However, the disproportionate number of secondary and higher schools available for children from the economically weaker sections becomes a deterrent. For instance, against the 32,000 primary schools run by the government or municipal bodies, there are just 6,100 government-run or grant-in-aid schools for secondary and higher secondary sections. 'The focus this year is enrolment in Classes 9 and 10. Among the three government schools to be visited by officials on each day of the drive, two are secondary and higher secondary schools and one is primary,' Principal Secretary, Education, Mukesh Kumar, told The Indian Express. As per the Education department records, the drop-out rate of Classes 9 and 10 was 21 per cent in 2023-24 against 23.8 per cent in 2018-19 — a decline of only 2.8 per cent in five years. The reasons range from availability of schools in the neighbourhood, especially in case of girls; parents migrating for work to other districts to children aiding the family income by engaging in skill-based labour. 'After this success (decline in drop out rate in primary classes and increase in enrollment), it was also very necessary to reduce the drop-out rate in Classes 8 and 9. That is why the state government is intensively mapping all students of Class 8 for them to get admission in Class 9 and Class 10 for Class 11 admission through the VSK. Efforts are being made to get all such students admitted in the nearest government or aided secondary schools,' the state government said in a statement issued this week. The state government has set a target of getting 25.75 lakh students enrolled for the 2025-26 academic session. Of these, most (10.56 lakh) are eligible for admission in Class 9, 6.5 lakh for admission to Classes 10 and 11, and 8.75 lakh for admission in Class 1 and Balvatika (equivalent to nursery). Further, the Gujarat State Open School, an initiative to facilitate distance learning for secondary and higher secondary students, was revived this year and rules are being made 'student-friendly', government sources say. Children who dropped out after Class 8 are also being sought out and enrolled in Gujarat State Open School Board. Details of students enrolled in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) are also being integrated with VSK for tracking. As per the state government records reiterated at every education programme and attributed as the 'success' of Shala Praveshotsav, the drop-out rate in Classes 1 to 5 has declined from 20.93 per cent in 2001-02 to 1.07 per cent in 2023-24. Also, the drop-out rate in Classes 1 to 8 was 37.22 per cent in 2001-02, which came down to 2.42 per cent in 2023-24. However, as per the AI-enabled Early Warning System (EWS) data accessed by The Indian Express, the potential dropouts identified for Classes 1-8 for the current academic year is 1.67 lakh from 50.42 lakh — of which 55 per cent are likely to be girl students. In its initial year, the data has been generated for Classes 1 to 8 which will be analysed and replicated for secondary and higher secondary classes, said government sources. As a statewide EWS predictive data of possible drop-outs has been generated for the first time this year, Banaskantha has the highest number at nearly 18,000 students, including a higher percentage for girls — at 60%. With over 15,300 students, Kutch is also among the top districts with the highest number of students who are likely to drop out of school, followed by the tribal district of Dahod and Surat city with nearly 12,000 students each. Ahmedabad city stands at 7,200, Jamnagar has over 6,700, Surendranagar at nearly 6,400, Rajkot with over 5,600, Morbi at over 5,500, Bhavnagar at over 5,600 and Chhota Udepur has nearly 5,200 such students. This was based on data sets recorded by the VSK on parameters like students' attendance, academic performance, behaviour patterns, economic background, migration, parents' mindset, number of children in the family, population, etc. Based on the AI-generated algorithm, such children are being monitored and before they drop-out, schools are informed so that authorities can take preventive actions. 'A sensible use of this data will help not only improve learning levels among children, but also their comprehensive growth. The VSK, which was started in Gujarat, has already been replicated in 17-18 states and funded by the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan,' Kumar told this paper. Experts and activists, however, question the lack of transparency in government records. Raising concerns, Sukhdev Patel an education activist from Ahmedabad, told this paper, 'The exercise of Shala Praveshotsav seems like drawing a target around the arrow after it was shot. The enrolment data should be made public and the manner in which it has been arrived at.' At the Pundrasan Government Primary school, CM Patel enrolled 197 children. He also appealed to the members of the School Management Committee to get more actively involved in the functioning of their respective schools. The SMCs were instituted in non-granted schools, as mandated by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE), aimed at ensuring community participation in the governance and monitoring of elementary education. However, after it was revealed that a majority of such committees lie either only on paper or are defunct, the Gujarat government directed restructuring these decision-making bodies at government primary schools. As per a Gujarat government notification from 2011, in a 12-member SMC, 75% members should comprise parents of students, with weightage to be given to the economically weaker sections. Among the rest of the members, one should be from the elected wing , one teacher, one person nominated by the parents. One of the objectives of the committee is to seek out eligible children and enrol them in schools from the villages and the neighbourhood. On the reconstitution of SMCs, Principal Secretary Kumar said, 'Till the time we don't nudge them, how will they improve?' The first-ever restructuring of the SMCs across 32,800 government primary schools, since these were formed following the implementation of the Act in Gujarat, was followed by a virtual interaction between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the members of the SMC in April this year. To identify eligible children to be admitted in Class 1, data from the Health department from 2019 was integrated with the Education department's Child Tracking System (CTS). Further, birth record data from 2023-24 is also used for enrolling children in Balvatika. The TeCHO (Technology for Community Health Operations) app used to track vaccination of children has also been integrated with the CTS application to create pre-enrollment data. These details are then shared along with contact details of parents to the respective schools. VSK is also collecting details of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and of private pre-primary schools from 2023-24. This is used to identify children to be admitted in Balvatika and Class 1 and a list is prepared to ensure 100 per cent enrolment. From 2025-26, to ensure students are enrolled in their nearest government or grant-in-aid schools, primary school principals and CRC co-ordinators will be roped in. The Socio-Economic Review (SER) 2023-24 revealed that the number of primary schools declined by 1,027 in the last five years — from 45,315 (including private schools) in 2019-20 to 44,288 in 2023-24. This reflected in the decline of 7.67 lakh in enrolment in Classes 1 to 8 in primary schools — from 86.14 lakh to 78.47 lakh. While government primary schools in rural areas reportedly increased from 2,225 in 2019-20 to 2,310 in 2023-24, government or municipal bodies run schools in urban areas either closed or merged as they declined from 31,337 to 30,626 during this period. On the other hand, the number of secondary and higher secondary schools increased during the same period, from 12,445 to 13,037, including around 6,100 run by government or grant-in-aid schools. This, however, resulted in a decline in the total enrolment — from 28.67 lakh in 2019-20 to 27.41 lakh in 2023-24. While the total number of secondary and higher secondary schools increased, the number of only-girls secondary and higher secondary schools decreased from 594 to 576 in the last five years. Meanwhile, the drop-out rate in primary education in Gujarat from Class 1 to 5, which stood at 22.3 per cent in 1999-2000, was reduced to 1.04 per cent in 2022-23.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Rajasthan Dy CM Slams Congress on 50 Years of Emergency, says
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 25 (ANI): Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa on Wednesday strongly condemned the Congress party for its actions during that period. Bairwa emphasized the importance of educating the younger generation about the 'atrocities committed during the Emergency,' Speaking to the media, Bairwa said, 'During the Emergency, thousands of innocent people were put in jail. They (Congress) have violated the Constitution several BJP government has done the work of safeguarding the Constitution under the leadership of PM Modi.' 'Today we are observing the day as 'Kala Divas' in at district level. We want our upcoming generation to get aware of the atrocities done by the Congress government during those times,' he said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed the 'Emergency' imposed in 1975, calling it an 'era of injustice' driven by the Congress party's 'hunger for power'. He said the PM Narendra Modi-led government observes June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Assassination Day) to remind the younger generation of this dark period in Indian democracy. In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'The 'Emergency' was an 'era of injustice' driven by Congress's hunger for power. The Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, caused immense pain and suffering to the people of the nation. To ensure that the new generation understands this, the Modi government has named this day Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. This day reminds us that when power turns into dictatorship, the people have the strength to uproot it.' Shah further criticised the Congress party and its leadership at the time for attacking democratic institutions.'The Emergency was not a national necessity but a reflection of the anti-democratic mindset of Congress and one individual. The freedom of the press was crushed, the judiciary's hands were tied, and social activists were thrown into jail. The people of the nation raised the battle cry of 'Vacate the Throne' and overthrew the dictatorial Congress. Heartfelt tributes to all the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in this struggle,' he added. Apart from this, the Union Cabinet today observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their constitutionally guaranteed rights and faced 'unimaginable horrors' during the Emergency. The cabinet paid tribute to their 'exemplary courage and valiant resistance' to the Emergency's excesses. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Darkest chapter in Indian democracy": Rajnath Singh on 50th anniversary of Emergency
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): As the country marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called it the 'darkest chapter in Indian democracy'. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh posted, 'Fifty years ago today, a nefarious attempt was made to strangle Indian democracy through the imposition of Emergency. People still remember the Emergency as the darkest chapter in Indian democracy. By sidelining the Constitution, the manner in which the Emergency was imposed on the country is a glaring example of the misuse of power and dictatorship. All opposition leaders were thrown into jail. There was no constitutional institution left that was not misused.' 'Yet, the democratic traditions of this country could not be erased by the then government, no matter how much they tried. Today, democracy is alive in India, and for this, those who struggled during the Emergency, endured imprisonment, and suffered hardships have made an immense contribution. The future generations of India can never forget their contribution,' said Rajnath Singh. 'Prime Minister Modi has decided to observe June 25 as 'Constitution Assassination Day' so that every citizen remembers how dictatorship attempts were made to murder democracy,' his post read. Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet observed a two-minute silence to pay tributes to those whose constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights were taken away and who were then subjected to 'unimaginable horrors' during the Emergency. The Union Cabinet paid tributes to their exemplary courage and valiant resistance to the Emergency's excesses. Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a resolution was adopted on 50 years of the Proclamation of Emergency. The Indira Gandhi government had imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The day is observed by the government as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas.' The meeting of the Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Cabinet resolved to commemorate and honour the sacrifices of countless individuals who valiantly resisted the Emergency and its attempt 'at subversion of the spirit of the Indian Constitution, a subversion which began in 1974 with a heavy-handed attempt at crushing the Navnirman Andolan and Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan. 'The year 2025 marks 50 years of the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas - an unforgettable chapter in the history of India where the Constitution was subverted, the Republic and democratic spirit of India were attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty, and dignity were suspended,' the resolution said. The Union Cabinet reaffirmed that the people of India continue to repose unflinching faith in the Indian Constitution and the resilience of the country's democratic ethos. It is as important for the young as it is for the old to draw inspiration from those who resisted dictatorial tendencies and stood firm to defend our Constitution and its democratic fabric, the resolution said.'India, as the Mother of Democracy, stands as an example of preserving, protecting, and safeguarding constitutional values. Let us, as a Nation, renew our resolve to uphold our Constitution and its democratic and federal spirit,' it said. (ANI)
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Universities instructed to observe Emergency anniversary
Kerala Raj Bhavan instructed all State universities to observe the anniversary of the Emergency on June 25 as 'Constitution Assassination Day'. In communications issued to Vice-Chancellors, the universities were ordered to organise seminars, conferences of poets and dramas on 'how Emergency came, how democracy of the country was destroyed (sic)'. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, while participating in a function a day ago, had exhorted the State government to include portions on the Emergency in the school curriculum.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Amit Shah calls Emergency an 'Era of Injustice', says Modi Government marks June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed the 'Emergency' imposed in 1975, calling it an 'era of injustice' driven by the Congress party's 'hunger for power'. He said the PM Narendra Modi-led government observes June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Assassination Day) to remind the younger generation of this dark period in Indian democracy. In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'The 'Emergency' was an 'era of injustice' driven by Congress's hunger for power. The Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, caused immense pain and suffering to the people of the nation. To ensure that the new generation understands this, the Modi government has named this day Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. This day reminds us that when power turns into dictatorship, the people have the strength to uproot it.' Shah further criticised the Congress party and its leadership at the time for attacking democratic institutions.'The Emergency was not a national necessity but a reflection of the anti-democratic mindset of Congress and one individual. The freedom of the press was crushed, the judiciary's hands were tied, and social activists were thrown into jail. The people of the nation raised the battle cry of 'Vacate the Throne' and overthrew the dictatorial Congress. Heartfelt tributes to all the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in this struggle,' he added. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet today observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their constitutionally guaranteed rights and faced 'unimaginable horrors' during the Emergency. The cabinet paid tribute to their 'exemplary courage and valiant resistance' to the Emergency's excesses. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a resolution was passed to mark 50 years since the Proclamation of Emergency. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resolution stated, 'The year 2025 marks 50 years of the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas - an unforgettable chapter in the history of India where the Constitution was subverted, the Republic and democratic spirit of India was attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty and dignity were suspended.' It added that the Emergency was an attempt 'at subversion of the spirit of the Indian Constitution,' which began in 1974 with efforts to crush movements like the Navnirman Andolan and the Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan. The resolution reaffirmed that the people of India continue to have unshakable faith in the Constitution and the country's democratic values.'It is as important for the young as it is for the old to draw inspiration from those who resisted dictatorial tendencies and stood firm to defend our Constitution and its democratic fabric,' it said. Reiterating India's democratic legacy, the resolution added, 'India, as the Mother of Democracy, stands as an example of preserving, protecting and safeguarding constitutional values. Let us, as a Nation, renew our resolve to uphold our Constitution and its democratic and federal spirit.' The Emergency, imposed on June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, lasted for 21 months and is remembered for severe restrictions on civil liberties, censorship of the press, and the arrest of political opponents. The BJP has continued to mark the day as a reminder of what it terms an attack on democracy. (ANI)
