Modi launches Mission Schools and projects worth Rs4,260 crore

The total cost of the mission is envisaged ₹10,000 crore and will help strengthen education infrastructure in Gujarat by setting up new classrooms, smart classrooms, computer labs and overall upgradation of schools in the state.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said that this moment will serve as a milestone for a better India and a better Gujarat. Talking about the development of 5G technology, he said that 5G will bring about a transformation across India. “5G will take the education system beyond smart facilities, smart classrooms and smart learning and take it to the next level. Our young students can now experience the power of virtual reality and the Internet of Things at school. Mission School of Excellence, Gujarat has taken the first and most important step in the entire country.”

He added that Gujarat has seen many changes in the field of education in the last two decades. “In these two decades the people of Gujarat have seen a change in the education system in their state. More than 1.25 lakh new classrooms have been created and more than 2 lakh teachers have been recruited in Gujarat.”

Recalling the ‘Gunotsavam’, PM Modi said that the skills, abilities and competencies of the students were assessed to improve the quality of education and the right solutions were suggested. A more advanced technology-based version of ‘Gunotsava’ is in operation at the Vidya Survey Center in Gujarat. The state has always been part of some unique and grand experiment in the field of education. We established the Institute of Teachers Education, Gujarat’s first teacher training university.”

PM Modi said TVs reached 15,000 schools in Gujarat a decade ago and more than 20,000 schools had computer-aided learning labs. “Many such systems have become an integral part of schools in Gujarat many years ago. Today in Gujarat more than 1 crore students and more than 4 lakh teachers are registering attendance online. 20 thousand schools in Gujarat to enter 5G era of education.”

“5G will help make the best content, pedagogy and teachers available to everyone, including remote areas. Diversity and flexibility of educational options will bring the new national education policy to the ground. 14,500 PM-SHRI schools which will be model schools for implementation of National Education Policy. 27 thousand crore will be spent on this project,” he added.

PM Modi also said that the new National Education Policy is an effort to free the country from the slavery mentality and promote talent and innovation. “Knowledge of the English language was taken as a measure of intelligence. Where language is only a medium of communication. But for decades, language was such a barrier that the country’s villages and poor families did not benefit from the talent pool. Now this situation is changing. Students have the option of studying science, technology and medicine in Indian languages. Efforts are underway to conduct courses in several Indian languages, including Gujarati.”

“India has immense potential to become one of the great knowledge economies of the world. In the 21st century, I have no hesitation in claiming that most of the innovations related to science, most of the innovations related to technology will happen in India. As far as Gujarat is recognized for trade and commerce, it is for manufacturing. But in the 21st century, Gujarat is emerging as the knowledge hub, innovation hub of the country. I am sure that the Mission School of Excellence will promote this spirit,” said the Prime Minister.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devabrata and Gujarat Government Ministers Jitubhai Vaghani, Kuberbhai Dindar and Kiritsingh Vaghela were present on the occasion.