Guj CM calls for rainwater harvesting at primary schools

In light of water scarcity in several parts of Gujarat this summer, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today called for a state-wide rainwater harvesting by constructing undergrounds tanks at all the primary schools in the state.
She was addressing top officials and ministers at a review meeting in Gandhinagar ahead of Shala Praveshotsav (school enrollment) and Kanya Kelavani(girl education) campaigns.
The drive will be held in two phases, in rural areas from June 8 to 10 and in urban areas from June 15 to 17, the statement said.
Patel directed the officials to construct underground water storage tanks at primary schools to store rainwater, which can be utilised through the year, it said.

Local villagers can be roped in for this, she suggested.
Shala Praveshotsav drive -- in its 15th edition now -- is aimed at increasing enrollment ratios and curb drop-out ratio in government-run and secondary schools.

Under the drive, ministers and bureaucrats will visit schools across Gujarat.
Patel also underlined that educating children about martyrs and freedom fighters from the respective regions through preparation of booklets of information to be collected by students.
The government schools with poor performance can be handed over to NGOs working in the education sector, she said.
Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said in the meeting that the enrollment drive, started by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2002, yielded desired results.

Enrollment ratio increased from 75 per cent to almost 98 per cent over the years and drop out ratio of girls came down to 1.21 per cent from 11.77 per cent over the years, he said.