The entire Council of Ministers, led by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, IAS officers and 3,000-odd officials have participated in the 3rd ‘Gunotsav’ campaign to evaluate 2-lakh teachers and 60-lakh students pursuing studies in 32,742 government primary schools in Gujarat for three days fromNovember 24 to 26, 2011.
The first day visit led the Team Gujarat to make a surprise visit to a primary school at Jaswantgadh Bhemal village in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district. CM asked teachers to throw out their unconcern in raising the quality of education. He Stressed for giving computer education and nutritious food to the students and inculcating the good habits of doing yoga and prayer.
On the Second Day Gunotsav campaign, Shri Narendra Modi visited Vavania in Rajkot District, the birth place of Gandhiji’s religious Guru Shrimad Rajchandra.
In a surprise visit to Primary schools in Maliya-Milyana taluka, CM was displeased to find the schools rated Grade D. Despite the fact that the boys school was 150 years old, built in 1853 and the Girls School was built in 1832. CM Narendra Modi addressed the issue and looked into the problems of the Schools as to the available facilities, the education level and mental health of children apart from the course syllabus, computer literacy and extra curricular activities.
On spur of the moment, he organized a meeting of the teachers and villagers. CM informed that it is shameful to note that after Government pouring in money for education to primary schools, the schools lacked the basic needs. Many children could not write the names of their guardians. It was also noticed that 24% women in the village were literate. 76% out of 100 felt ashamed of illiteracy. Unhappy about the situation, Shri Narendra Modi was concerned that in 50 years independence, none had taken initiative earlier. With initiatives like Kanya Kelavani, Shala Pavesh and Gunotsav, the Government is infusing life into literacy.
CM held a meeting with the Teachers and encouraged them to change their vision. He said, “If the School is degraded and the students are weak, your conscience should bite you. There should be love for teaching and without this, education will have no means.”
He appealed the leader, Legislator Kantibhai Amritiya of Vavania to infuse literacy and to reach nearby Kuntasi village to motivate students for education.