Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced the direct transfer of over Rs 646 crore to the bank accounts of 4,72,260 students across the state. This initiative is part of the Namo Laxmi and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana schemes. The disbursement took place during a ceremony held at Swarnim Sankul in Gandhinagar on August 12, as reported by the Chief Minister’s Office.

Under the Namo Laxmi Yojana, financial support exceeding Rs 513 crore was allocated to more than 4 lakh girl students who successfully cleared the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. In addition, over 57,000 students from the Science stream who passed Class 12 received a total of more than Rs 28 crore through the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana.

Furthermore, various scholarship programmes, including the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana and Scheme of Developing High-Quality Research (SHODH), contributed an additional Rs 105 crore, benefitting 7,260 students with Rs 96 crore, and 48 institutions with grants amounting to Rs 9 crore.

Government Focus on Education and Empowerment of Girls

During the event, Chief Minister Patel highlighted the state government’s commitment to promoting education, particularly for girl students, in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Kanya Kelavani. He noted that the Namo Laxmi and Namo Saraswati schemes have positively influenced the educational pursuits of girls, specifically encouraging their interest in the Science field.

Patel emphasised the necessity for continuous improvement among educators to meet the evolving learning needs of children. He mentioned ongoing government support for teachers while also calling on society to assist in fostering educational achievements.

The Chief Minister also announced a campaign aimed at identifying students who have dropped out of school, with the intention of facilitating their re-enrolment. He encouraged collaboration between educational institutions and students to realise greater advancements in the sector.

Positive Outcomes of Educational Policies in Gujarat

Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja referred to Swami Vivekananda, asserting that education unlocks the potential within individuals. He mentioned that the Gujarat Government is dedicated to transforming the aspirations of many students into reality by providing opportunities for learning and growth.

On the occasion of International Youth Day, Vaja reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring complete access to education and rights for the youth. He underscored that education is a fundamental cornerstone of national progress and plays a crucial role in the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Minister of State Rivabaa Jadeja acknowledged the significant impact of initiatives like ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ and ‘Kanya Kelavani’ in improving school enrolment rates in Gujarat. She reported an increase from approximately 75 per cent enrolment a few years ago to nearly 99.99 per cent today, with a decrease in dropout rates from 37 per cent to around 1 per cent.

Jadeja highlighted that the Namo Laxmi and Namo Saraswati schemes are instrumental in motivating girls to pursue higher education in Science, revealing a 16 per cent rise in the first year for girls in higher secondary education, along with a 125 per cent increase in attendance among Science students with 80 to 100 per cent attendance. She concluded by emphasising that the government’s financial aid reflects its long-term vision for a developed Gujarat and Bharat.

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