Maharashtra launches ‘Chala Shalet Jauya’ campaign to improve quality of school education

The Maharashtra government is set to roll out the lsquoChala Shalet Jauyarsquo Let Us Go to School campaign as a statewide peoplersquos movement with a focus on improving the quality of education strengthening school infrastructure and instilling values and patriotism among students School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse said on MondayDadaji Bhuse on Tuesday highlighted that the campaign will focus on improving school infrastructure strengthening students reading writing and comprehension skills inculcating values and nurturing patriotism among studentsThe official statement noted ldquoAs part of the initiative senior officials of the School Education Department will visit schools on September 8 and 9 September 22 and 23 and October 7 and 8 Officials have been assigned specific districts to monitor the implementation of the campaign and assess the condition and requirements of schoolsrdquoMaharashtra Minister Bhuse made the announcement during a meeting held on Monday at the office of the Maharashtra Primary Education Council with representatives of various organisations representing teachers and nonteaching staff in the school education sectorPending education sector issues to be addressedThe Education Minister also said that the demands and suggestions submitted by organisations associated with the School Education Department would be considered positively and that efforts were being made to resolve pending issues in a phased mannerBhuse also noted that action has already been initiated on several issues raised through representations from various organisations while other matters are under consideration Issues that can be resolved at the departmental level will be addressed immediately while matters involving financial or policy decisions will be taken up with senior authoritiesA comprehensive meeting with representatives of all organisations will also be organised in Pune in the coming weeks to facilitate detailed discussions on their pending demands and concernsDPDC funds to be used for school infrastructureBhuse said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar the Maharashtra Government has decided to increase the utilisation of District Planning Committee DPDC funds to complete pending infrastructure works in schoolsThe department will also work to improve coordination between Central and State government schemes public participation corporate social responsibility CSR funding and special funds available for aspirational talukas to support school developmentBhuse said ldquoQuality education should remain at the centre of the departments efforts He appealed to stakeholders to work collectively to improve students basic reading writing and comprehension abilities strengthen public confidence in Marathimedium schools and improve the quality of schools operated by local selfgovernment bodiesrdquo10 districts selected as expanded aspirational districtsAs part of efforts for balanced development 10 districts have been identified as expanded aspirational districts Following senior education officials have been assigned responsibility for monitoring development in these districtsJalna Principal SecretaryGadchiroli Commissioner of School EducationPalghar State Project Director Maharashtra Primary Education CouncilParbhani Director State Council of Educational Research and Training SCERTBeed Chairman Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary EducationNandurbar Chairman Maharashtra State Council of ExaminationsWashim Director Primary EducationDharashiv Director Secondary and Higher Secondary EducationDhule Director PlanningHingoli Director BalbharatiAdditionally separate districtwise nodal officers have also been appointed The respective divisional heads of the department will function as monitoring officers and review the progress of the assigned work every 15 daysThe Maharashtra School Education Minister further said that the reports will be submitted to the Office of the Education Commissioner