– Ronita Torcato 

With a view to transforming the first day of school into a festive occasion, Maharashtra’s school education department is celebrating a ‘School Entrance Festival’ across Maharashtra today, except for schools in Vidarbha.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act mandates the state government to provide quality education to every child. Against this backdrop, governor Jishnu Dev Varma, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, members of the cabinet and senior administrative officials will visit various schools across the state to welcome new students.

According to the state government, last year’s festival helped in reducing the drop in the number of students in schools. Some districts even saw an increase in the number of students compared to the previous year.

As part of the school entrance ceremony this year, new students will be welcomed with roses. Under the concept of ‘First Step ‘ the footprints of students admitted to class 1 will be taken and a copy will be given to the parents. Free textbooks and uniforms will also be distributed to all the students.

Concerned officials have to “adopt” the school for a year and ensure its educational quality by reviewing the physical facilities and the progress of the students.

Instructions have been issued to teachers to visit Anganwadi and Balwadi centres and collect information about eligible students. They must also communicate with parents and provide information on various facilities in government schools, scholarships, and other initiatives.

A special control system has been set up at the district level and a School Entrance Ceremony Room has been established to monitor the implementation of the programme.

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