Praveshotsav doesn't live up to reputation

The three-day special enrolment drive, launched by municipal schools across the city, was a damp squib. While 15,600 students were enrolled in Std-I of schools, run by the Ahmedabad Municipal School Board (AMSB), in 2012-13, the number fell drastically by around 14,000 this year, a fall of over 1,500 students.

The school board celebrated Praveshotsav from June 20 to 22 for enrolment of students in Std-I of municipal schools in Ahmedabad. The celebration even witnessed the participation of social justice and empowerment minister Ramanlal Vora, minister of state for law, judiciary, legislative and parliamentary affairs Pradipsinh Jadeja, 20-point implementation committee chairman Kaushik Patel and chief additional labour and employment secretary P Panneervel among other dignitaries.

Despite this, the number of students enrolled during the drive has gone down, indicating a lukewarm response to the drive. According to figures provided by the AMSB, a little less than 14,000 children got registered in Std-I of different primary schools in the city during the three-day event this year, which was 15,600 last year. However, the number stands at 13,578, said sources familiar with the development.

Lagdhir Desai, administrative officer of the municipal school board, said some communities prefer to enroll their children on particular auspicious days.
“Despite being a public holiday, we will have to keep certain schools open on Ashadi Bij as parents prefer to enroll their children on such days. We expect around 2,000 students to get enrolled that day,” he pointed out.

Desai further stated that 17,310 students got enrolled that day and another 25,000 are expected to get enrolled as enrolment would continue till August 31.