Dropouts beware! Gujarat government is watching you

The state government on Saturday launched a first of its kind 'School Dropout Tracking System', even as the Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav (school enrolment) campaigns concluded.More than 18,000 villages of the state were covered in the twin campaigns by the state government from June 16 to 18.

The chief minister, other ministers of the state, officials and office bearers of various government boards and corporations, visited schools across the state and enrolled children in primary schools and anganwadis over these three days.

Officials said that 3.49 lakh children up to the age of 5 were enrolled in schools during the first two days of the drive.

CM Narendra Modi launched  the 'School Dropout Tracking System'  in Mehsana's Satlasana taluka. The  software-based tracking system is aimed at minimizing instances of school dropouts.

Modi said that the state government was targeting a zero school-dropout rate as against the existing rate of 2 - 3%. He also said that the tracking system would be launched across the state shortly.

The CM appreciated the support extended to the twin campaigns by citizens, and said that the government and society were working together to educate children and build a sound future for the state.

He dismissed the criticism of the campaigns, saying that they were driven by jealousy and politics.

He also accused the past governments of neglecting primary education in desire of votes.

In the second phase, the twin campaigns will be undertaken in urban areas from June 23 to 25. The state government also announced that the Gunotsav drive would be undertaken in the second half of the academic year.