Ahmedabad school drive enrolls 303 children in beggar rehabilitation push
Synopsis
In a single event at a government primary school in Ahmedabad's Thaltej, 303 children — including 20 rescued from begging and 233 from signal schools — were formally enrolled under Gujarat's Shala Praveshotsav-2026. The drive, backed by police, the municipal body, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, reflects a growing effort to turn rescue operations into lasting educational inclusion.
Key Takeaways
303 children were enrolled in formal schooling on 24 June 2026 at P.M.
Shri Thaltej Anupam Primary School , Ahmedabad.
Enrolments included 20 children rescued from begging, 233 from signal schools, and 50 newly admitted students.
Since 2022 , a cumulative 276 children rescued from begging have been enrolled in government schools in Gujarat.
33 children were rescued from an inter-state begging network and reunited with their families.
Officers of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) were felicitated at the event for their rehabilitation work.
The drive was led by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and attended by DGP G.S.
Malik and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani .
A total of 303 children were enrolled into formal schooling on 24 June 2026 at P.M. Shri Thaltej Anupam Primary School in Ahmedabad, under a drive aimed at integrating children rescued from begging and other vulnerable circumstances into the mainstream education system. The event, held in the Thaltej area, was organised by the Ahmedabad School Education Committee in the presence of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Who Was Enrolled and How
Of the 303 total enrolments, 20 were children rescued directly from begging, 233 were students from signal schools, and 50 were newly admitted students of the host institution. The initiative, branded 'Shala Praveshotsav-2026', focused on channelling children identified through rescue and rehabilitation operations into regular government schools.
What the Government Said
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi said that ensuring education and equal opportunity for children rescued from begging would contribute to long-term social change. 'Education remains central to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, because it is the most effective means of development and inclusion,' he said. He noted that since 2022, a total of 276 children had been rescued from begging and subsequently enrolled in signal schools and other government educational institutions. Sanghavi also urged teachers to treat such children with the same care and emotional support they would extend to their own.
Action Against Inter-State Begging Networks
Officials highlighted enforcement action against an inter-state network allegedly involved in forcing children into begging. According to the administration, 33 children were rescued through these operations and reunited with their families. Officers associated with beggar rehabilitation efforts and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) were felicitated at the event for their work.
Coordinated Institutional Effort
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said coordinated efforts by the police, the municipal administration, and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment had been key to bringing vulnerable children into education. 'Education would play a key role in achieving long-term developmental goals,' he added. The event was attended by Director General of Police G.S. Malik, Member Secretary Hetal Pawar, Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) City President Prerak Shah, and Project Officer of Gujarat State Legal Services Authority M.A. Piparani, along with school staff, parents, and students.
What Comes Next
The drive signals a broader push by the Gujarat government to close the gap between rescue operations and lasting educational inclusion. With 276 children brought into formal schooling since 2022 and 303 more added in a single event, the programme's scale is growing — though sustained outcomes will depend on retention, teacher support, and continued anti-trafficking enforcement.
Point of View
But the more telling figure is 276 children enrolled since 2022: a cumulative count that underscores how slow and resource-intensive this pipeline actually is. Gujarat's model of linking police enforcement, anti-trafficking units, and municipal schooling infrastructure is directionally sound, but enrolment is only the first step. Retention data, learning outcomes, and what happens to these children after they enter the system are the metrics that matter — and none were cited at the event. The 'Viksit Bharat @2047' framing also risks turning a welfare intervention into a political talking point before the evidence of impact is in.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shala Praveshotsav-2026 in Ahmedabad?
Shala Praveshotsav-2026 is a school enrolment drive organised by the Ahmedabad School Education Committee to integrate children rescued from begging and other vulnerable backgrounds into formal government schooling. The 2026 edition was held on 24 June at P.M. Shri Thaltej Anupam Primary School in Ahmedabad's Thaltej area.
How many children were enrolled and who are they?
A total of 303 children were enrolled: 20 rescued from begging, 233 from signal schools, and 50 newly admitted students of the host institution. The drive targeted children identified through rescue and rehabilitation operations.
What action was taken against begging networks?
Officials reported enforcement action against an inter-state network allegedly involved in forcing children into begging. According to the administration, 33 children were rescued through these operations and reunited with their families.
How many children have been enrolled in Gujarat since 2022?
Since 2022, a cumulative total of 276 children rescued from begging have been enrolled in signal schools and other government educational institutions in Gujarat, according to Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Which agencies were involved in the initiative?
The drive was a coordinated effort involving the Ahmedabad police, the municipal administration, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU). Officers from the AHTU were felicitated at the event for their rehabilitation work.
