Shala Praveshotsav: Gujarat Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi welcomes 373 newly enrolled children at Surat municipal schools
Surat, June 25
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday welcomed 373 Balvatika and Class 1 students into Surat Municipal Corporation-run primary schools during the "Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav 2026" held at Khatodara Colony in Surat.
The Deputy Chief Minister attended the programme at Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti Schools No. 45, 46 and 275, where he distributed educational kits, including drawing books and colour pen boxes, to newly admitted students. The children were also presented with handkerchiefs bearing their kumkum footprints as mementoes.
Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said Shala Praveshotsav had evolved into a major movement for quality education over the past two decades and called for collective efforts to ensure every child receives quality education. He noted that Surat Municipal Corporation schools provide education in Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Odia and English, enabling children from diverse linguistic backgrounds to study in their mother tongue.
Highlighting the role of teachers in shaping students' futures, Sanghavi stressed the importance of values alongside education. He urged teachers and parents to reduce children's mobile phone usage and promote activity-based learning. He also encouraged students to maintain cleanliness at home and in their neighbourhoods by disposing of waste in dustbins.
Emphasising road safety, the Deputy Chief Minister urged students to become the "police of their homes" and remind their parents not to leave home without wearing helmets. He said even a small mistake on the road could have serious consequences and called on public representatives and school staff to keep educational institutions green and clean.
On the occasion, Sanghavi and other dignitaries planted trees on the school campus as part of efforts towards environmental conservation and a Green Surat. Those present also took a pledge to follow traffic rules, remain vigilant against road accidents and discharge their responsibilities as citizens.
According to the organisers, 4,708 students have shifted from private schools to Surat Municipal Corporation schools, reflecting growing trust in government education.
The event was attended by Mayor Mayaben Mavani, Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti Chairman Rajendrabhai Kapadia, District Education Officer Dr. Bhagirathsinh Parmar, Municipal Administrative Officer Dharmesh Patel, corporators, committee members, principals, teachers, parents and students.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The multilingual aspect is brilliant - Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Odia, English. In a diverse city like Surat, education in mother tongue makes such a difference. But I hope the quality of teachers matches this infrastructure. Good teachers are the real foundation.
Deputy CM telling kids to be "police of their homes" for helmets - practical wisdom! But let's be honest, road safety awareness starts from top. If parents see leaders following rules, they'll follow too. Still, every small step matters. Enjoyed the kumkum footprint memento idea - very Gujarati touch! 😊
I work with an NGO in education and this is genuinely impressive. 4708 student migration from private to municipal schools speaks volumes. In many countries, public education is struggling. India seems to be getting it right at grassroots level. The tree planting combined with education drive is smart too.
Reducing mobile phone usage for children - finally someone said it! Last week I saw a 5-year-old at a restaurant glued to phone while parents chatted. These small value lessons from school matter more than we think. And cleanliness awareness starting from school? Perfect. Swachh Bharat ka asli execution yahi se hota hai.
4000+ students moving from private to govt schools - that's a data point worth celebrating. In many developing nations, the opposite trend happens. Shows investment in public education is paying off. But the real test will be retention and learning outcomes 5 years from now. Hope the government tracks this.
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