Maharashtra Schools To Reopen On June 16 With 'School Welcome Festival'; CM Devendra Fadnavis Top Officials To Join Statewide Initiative

Maharashtra's new school session will start on Monday, June 16, across all districts except Vidarbha, where schools will open on June 23. Newly admitted students will be greeted on the first day through the state-level 'School Welcome Festival' (Shala Praveshotsav), with the Chief Minister, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, and top officials planning to visit government and municipal schools throughout the state.

The School Education Department has stated the aim of the initiative is to improve the quality of education and increase attendance. The attendance of functionaries will also be for inspecting different sectors of school operations — such as the availability of free textbooks and uniforms, student admissions, infrastructure, and supporting systems.

The senior leaders and officials like other chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and district collectors have been asked to go on visits to the schools under their jurisdiction. They will also discuss with the members of the school management committees, local elected representatives, and civic officials how the enrolment in government schools can be boosted.

Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik recently reviewed the preparations and directed officials to participate actively in the school reopening. She called for measures to improve academic standards and contribute to the overall development of schools.

As part of the state's NIPUN Maharashtra Mission, for foundational literacy and numeracy, it is the aim for 75% of children from Year 2 to Year 5 to reach class-level proficiency. The senior officials will be required to engage with parents through the welcome programme and have also been tasked with taking responsibility for adopting schools to enable long-term growth.

Chief Secretary I.A. Kundan stressed that the visits must also evaluate the quality of Prime Minister Poshan Shakti Scheme's mid-day meals, students' hygiene practices, and sports and co-curricular facilities. She was confident that the program would go a long way in instilling a more positive attitude towards public schooling and provide children with a motivating learning environment to achieve good learning.