In order to promote water conservation in Gujarat, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Thursday stressed on construction of underground tanks in school compounds across the State involving villagers to make them aware on rainwater conservation from rooftops drained into the wells for round-the-year use.
Addressing a meeting of secretaries and senior officers in the State capital Gandhinagar to prepare for the 15th annual Statewide Shala Praveshotsav (Enrollment Drive) and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav (Girl Child Education), she stressed on the need for all round development of children as part of schooling.
Patel listed serving nutritious food, teaching benefits of health and hygiene, arranging latent talent hunts, acquainting children with the sacrifices of freedom fighters and singing patriotic songs like Manushya Tun Bada Mahan Hey as some of the co-curricular activities.
She said the campaign in rural areas will last from June 8 to 10, and in urban areas from June 15 to 17, 2016. The campaign to increase enrollment in primary schools and spreading the message of girls' education was started in 2002-03.
The Chief Minister called for handing over schools with less than five per cent results to voluntary organisations, pay special attention to the weak students and take them out of the inferiority complex. She exuded confidence the efforts would bear fruits in five years. The officers should now think taking the campaign to secondary school stage as well.
She said the villages with cent per cent school enrollment, maintaining cleanliness and achieving good results would be considered for Smart Village concept. The Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma said the campaign has resulted in increasing enrollment from 75 to 98 per cent, which is attainable up to 100 per cent. There has been drastic fall in boys’ dropout rate.