Gujarat : CM Bhupendra Patel to Launch ₹1500 Crore Education Schemes for Gujarat

Gandhinagar : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will launch two major projects, Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, in an effort to strengthen secondary and higher secondary education in the state. The inaugural event will take place at Ahmedabad’s Gyanda Girls High School in the presence of Gujarat Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kuber Dindor on Saturday.

Namo Lakshmi Yojana, envisaged to support girls pursuing education in secondary and higher secondary schools across the state, aims to provide financial assistance of ₹50,000 to each girl completing her studies from class 9 to 12. With an allocated budget of approximately ₹1250 crore in the Gujarat Budget 2024-25, this scheme targets an estimated 10 lakh girls in government, aided, and private schools. It endeavors to bolster enrollment, curtail dropout rates, and empower girls through education and nutrition.

On the other hand, Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana is introduced to foster science education in classes 11-12 starting from the academic year 2024-25. Eligible students, having scored over 50% marks in the Class 10 Board Examination, can avail admission in the science stream in State Government, Aided, and Self-Supporting Schools affiliated with Gujarat Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, as well as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recognized schools. The scheme offers total assistance of Rs. 25,000 upon admission in the science stream, with a budget provision of ₹250 crore in the Gujarat Budget 2024-25.

These initiatives are anticipated to benefit approximately 15 lakh students in secondary and higher secondary schools, providing direct financial assistance through DBT (Direct Beneficiary Transfer) annually.

Moreover, during the launch event, benefits worth an estimated ₹61 crore will be disbursed to over 60,000 students under various scholarship programs including Gyansetu Merit Scholarship, Gyansadhana Merit Scholarship, Gyanshakti Residential Schools of Excellence, and Rakshashakti Schools.

The substantial increase in budget allocation for school education over the past five years coupled with the introduction of these schemes is poised to elevate the education standards of primary, secondary, and higher secondary school students in Gujarat, with a particular emphasis on empowering girls.