United efforts needed for qualitative education: Modi

Ahmedabad, Jun 20 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today stressed the need to make united efforts to improve the quality of education by effective participation of government, teachers and parents.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a function ''Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav'', where he participated in the enrolment process of the urban children at Amraivadi Municipal Primary School in the city.

Reiterating his commitment and priority for primary education and child development, the Chief Minister said, ''The Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav in 18,000 villages in the State from June 12 to 14 was a mega success in terms of people's movement.'' Education is a tool to conquer penury, unemployment and social evils and to uplift the poorer section of the urban sectors, Mr Modi said.

He alleged that the previous governments did not pay any heed towards development in the education sector and the net result was that Gujarat remained backward on education front. ''We are committed to make the state free from the pains of illiteracy,'' he said.

''In fact, we have initiated a mass movement to change the situation. We want to create an environment in which nobody should suffer the ills of illiteracy, but people with negative mindsets criticise the noble moves of the present government,'' he said. ''The government has also launched the 'Balbhog Yojana' to address the malnutrition issue,'' he said.

Mr Modi also handed over Vidhya Laxmi Bonds, scholarship cheques and books to the students.

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