Gujarat's 24th Shala Praveshotsav (School Enrolment Festival) and Kanya Kelavani campaign will facilitate the admission of approximately 28.58 lakh children across 38,400 schools in the state between 23 and 25 June, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel set to launch the initiative from B.N. High School in Vadnagar. The three-day drive represents one of India's largest state-level school enrolment efforts, spanning government schools from Balvatika through Class 11.

Why Vadnagar Was Chosen

The selection of B.N. High School, Vadnagar as the launch venue carries deliberate symbolism — it is the school where Prime Minister Narendra Modi received his early education. The campaign itself was initiated by Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2003, with the stated aim of boosting school enrolment and reducing dropout rates, particularly among girls. This year marks the programme's 24th consecutive edition.

At the Vadnagar event, Chief Minister Patel is scheduled to personally facilitate the admission of 389 students, ranging from Balvatika to Class 11, including two children at a local Anganwadi centre.

Who Is Eligible and How Admissions Work

The enrolment criteria follow age-based cutoffs as of 1 June. Children aged above five years and below six years on that date will be admitted to Balvatika, while those aged above six years and below seven years will be enrolled in Class 1. The campaign also covers upward transitions: students who have passed Class 8 will move to Class 9, and those who have cleared Class 10 will be enrolled in Class 11.

Officials and Dignitaries on Ground

Around 465 dignitaries and officials — including the Deputy Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and officers from the IAS, IPS, and IFS cadres — will visit schools across Gujarat during the three-day campaign. Their visits will not be limited to enrolment formalities; officials will also review schools' academic performance, physical infrastructure, and institutional achievements in consultation with School Management Committees (SMCs).

Community Participation at the Core

The state government has positioned community involvement as central to the campaign's design. School Management Committees, parents, and local residents are expected to play an active role in encouraging children — especially girls — to enter and remain in formal schooling. This community-first model has been a defining feature of the Shala Praveshotsav since its inception.

With the campaign entering its third decade, the Gujarat government will be looking at whether enrolment gains translate into sustained attendance and learning outcomes — a challenge that enrolment drives alone have historically struggled to address.