Will ensure no child is left out of school: CM Yogi Adityanath

The chief minister drew a comparison of student enrollment numbers during his first term with that of the Samajwadi Party’s rule in the state between 2012 and 2017.

Absence of basic facilities such as mid-day meal, toilets, drinking water, furniture and smart classes "increased the dropout rate more than the admissions", the chief minister said. Express photo by Vishal Srivastav

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday launched the ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ in Shravasti, which has the lowest literacy rate in Uttar Pradesh, with an aim to ensure 100 per cent enrollment in primary and upper primary schools across the state.

“We have to give special emphasis on basic education. The campaign is being launched after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It may happen that the children, who did not go to school, might be feeling lazy to return. But we have to ensure that no child is left out and all should be admitted to schools,” Adityanath said while launching the campaign.

Read | UP govt enforces strict regulatory system to prevent question paper leaks, say officials

The CM also drew a comparison of student enrollment numbers during his first term with that of the Samajwadi Party’s rule in the state between 2012 and 2017.

Story continues below this ad

In 2017, 1.34 crore students were enrolled in basic education schools and the situation was “awavastha aur arajakta” (mismanagement and anarchy), he said, adding that in the first three years of his previous term (2017-2019), the student’s enrollment in schools increased to 1.80 crore. Also, free books, two uniform sets, shoes, socks and sweaters were provided to students, he added.

The absence of basic facilities such as mid-day meal, toilets, drinking water, furniture and smart classes “increased the dropout rate more than the admissions”, the CM said and directed officials to aim at increasing students’ enrollment to 2 crore. He also told officials to target the enrollment of migrant workers’ children, who visit the state during vacations. “It’s both our moral duty and social responsibility that we bring every child to the school,” he added.
The CM had earlier instructed officials that districts with low literacy rate should be prioritised and primary schools in the state should be equipped with better facilities.

Asking not just teachers, but also public representatives to visit every household, Adityanath on Monday urged MPs, MLAs, MLCs as well as chairpersons of Zila Panchayats, village pradhans to adopt government primary schools.

The chief minister said that 1.34 lakh primary schools in the state were given a facelift during his first term under “Operation Kayakalp”, launched by his government in 2017, by ensuring proper arrangement for drinking water, toilets as well as improvement in the quality of mid-day meal and introduction of smart classes.

Story continues below this ad

“I want you to adopt the remaining schools for their modernisation,” the CM said.

The ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ will be next implemented in Bahraich, Balrampur, Badaun and Rampur, according to a government release. The campaign will continue for the next one month with an aim to bring back every student to their school again, the chief minister said.
With PTI Inputs

Singer Zubeen Garg passes away in Singapore

Entertainment2 hr ago

Popular singer Zubeen Garg passes away after scuba diving accident in Singapore. He was participating in the 4th North East India Festival and had shared a video on Instagram inviting people to attend. He was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. More details to follow.

View all shorts

Live Blog