More than 5 lakh children were enrolled across Gujarat's schools on the opening day of the 24th edition of Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav 2026, as the state government intensified its push to bring every child into the formal education system. The three-day campaign, launched on 23 June 2026, spans 9,165 villages and 12,729 schools across the state.

Launch at Vadnagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel formally inaugurated the campaign at B.N. High School in Vadnagar — the school where Prime Minister Narendra Modi studied during his formative years. Addressing the gathering, Patel reaffirmed the state's commitment to universal enrolment, stating that 'no child is deprived of education.' The choice of venue carried symbolic weight, anchoring the campaign in a narrative of education as a pathway to national leadership.

Day 1 Enrolment Numbers

The first day recorded substantial enrolment across all levels. More than 68,000 children entered Anganwadis and kindergartens, while over 1.47 lakh children joined Balvatika. Enrolments in Class 1 crossed 36,000, with over 2.16 lakh students entering Class 9 and more than 1.15 lakh students taking admission in Class 11. According to the Education Department, 30,502 dignitaries — including ministers, elected representatives, and senior officials — visited schools to welcome children and encourage participation.

Community Support and Contributions

The campaign drew significant public backing, with contributions worth ₹9.06 crore received through public participation on Day 1 alone. Of this, ₹1.24 crore came in cash and ₹7.83 crore in educational materials — including school bags, stationery, and smart televisions for schools. Nearly 920 meritorious girls were also recognised through the distribution of Vidyalakshmi Bonds under the enrolment drive, underscoring the campaign's continued emphasis on girls' education.

Targeting Out-of-School Children

The campaign this year carries added urgency. A recent 'Back to School Survey' conducted by the Education Department identified 3,485 children across Gujarat who remain outside the formal school system. Officials said a dedicated enrolment drive will be undertaken in the coming days to bring these children into mainstream education. The government has also extended transportation facilities to around 24,267 schools to ensure students — particularly girls in rural and remote areas — can attend without interruption.

What Comes Next

The programme continues for two more days, with school visits, enrolment activities, and community outreach initiatives scheduled across the state. This comes amid broader national efforts to reduce dropout rates and improve literacy outcomes, particularly at the secondary level. The scale of Day 1 participation suggests the campaign retains strong institutional momentum entering its 24th year.