Gujarat Minister Visits Dropouts at Home to Persuade Them Back to School

On Tuesday, Rivaba Jadeja, Gujarat's Minister of State for Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, personally visited the homes of two students who had dropped out of school in the 2025-26 academic year. The visits took place in the tribal-dominated Poshina taluka of Sabarkantha district, as part of the state government's annual enrollment drive, Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani.

Now in its 24th edition, the drive aims to re-enrol 6.41 lakh students who left school during the 2025-26 session. Teachers across every district have surveyed dropouts, tracked them using a unique identification number, and contacted their parents to encourage re-enrollment. However, some students remain resistant.

Jadeja visited two such girls: Sajalben Chandubhai Dhrangi, who dropped out in Class X, and Manishaben Rameshbhai Kateria, who left in Class IX. Both were students at Government Secondary School in Ganava, Poshina. The minister arrived unannounced, walking along hilly paths despite the heat.

Speaking to Manishaben, Jadeja asked, “Which subject do you find the toughest? Do not worry about the subjects. The teachers will help you understand everything. You only need to complete four more classes (IX to XII).” She instructed the school's teachers to monitor the girl's progress and visit her home regularly to provide support.

“I could have chosen an area with 100 per cent results, but I came here instead. Until she returns to school, her teachers will be frequent guests,” Jadeja told the teachers.

Later, Jadeja visited Sajalben's home. She spoke individually with the 15-year-old and her mother, trying to understand why the girl had quit. Sajalben's father, Chandubhai Dharmabhai Dhrangi, a farmer with about four bighas of land, said it was his daughter's own decision to leave school. He noted that his eldest son, however, is enrolled in a nearby college in Metral, Khedbrahma taluka.

In an interview, Jadeja said that geographical terrain is a major factor discouraging parents, especially from sending girls to school. “We are examining the reasons. The main one is the state's geographical circumstances. From 2003 to 2026, the dropout rate has declined, but in hilly tribal areas, reaching schools is difficult. Setting up infrastructure is a challenge, but the government is committed to providing basic facilities like health, education, and drinking water. I was pleasantly surprised to see that in a village of 800 people, children talk about robotic labs,” she said.

The state government's tracking system uses UID numbers to identify and follow up on dropouts from Classes I to X. Despite these measures, not all students are returning to school. The minister's personal outreach is part of a broader effort to ensure that every child completes their education.