Rajasthan Education Department Kicks Off Preparations for New Academic Year
The Rajasthan State Education Department has officially commenced comprehensive preparations for the upcoming academic session, which is scheduled to begin on April 1. Officials confirmed on Friday that the distribution of textbooks to schools across the state is already in progress, marking a proactive start to the new scholastic year.
Increased Teaching Days and Revised Academic Calendar
With the academic session starting earlier this year, the total number of teaching days will see a significant increase. The department has set the count at 214 teaching days, a notable rise from the previous 200 days. This adjustment aims to enhance instructional time and learning outcomes for students statewide.
The summer vacation period has been clearly defined, spanning from May 16 to June 20, providing a full month's break for students and staff. This structured calendar is designed to optimize the academic schedule while accommodating seasonal considerations.
High-Level Meeting with Teachers' Associations
Education Minister Madan Dilawar, alongside School Education Secretary Krishna Kunal, convened a crucial meeting with representatives from various teachers' associations across Rajasthan. The discussion focused on finalizing preparations for the new session and reviewing key departmental initiatives planned for the year.
During the meeting, Minister Dilawar made a fervent appeal to teachers and education staff, urging them to actively contribute to elevating the standards of the state's education system. He emphasized the collective responsibility in shaping a robust educational framework.
Major Initiatives: Mega PTM and Enrolment Drives
A significant highlight of the preparations is the organization of a mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM) scheduled for March 25, to be held simultaneously across all schools in Rajasthan. Accompanying this will be a parent–anganwadi meeting, with the dual objective of encouraging the transition of children from anganwadi centres into formal schooling and ensuring existing students continue their education without dropping out.
To bolster enrolment figures, the department will launch an intensive four-day campaign under Praveshotsav. Secretary Kunal detailed that this drive will involve teachers and staff conducting door-to-door visits to identify and encourage eligible children for school admission.
The enrolment campaign will be executed in four distinct phases:
- Starting March 27
- Followed by April 6
- Then April 10
- And concluding on April 15
Each phase will last four days, mobilizing 25% of teaching staff from every school, along with administrative personnel from education department offices, to undertake comprehensive household surveys.
Student Welfare and Infrastructure Measures
In a move to support student welfare, Secretary Kunal announced that all students will receive free textbooks with the commencement of the new session. Additionally, funds for free uniforms will be directly transferred to students' bank accounts, streamlining the process and ensuring timely access.
Minister Dilawar issued directives for schools to maintain high standards of campus cleanliness, actively discourage the use of single-use plastic, and strictly prohibit tobacco consumption in any form within school premises. These measures are part of a broader initiative to foster a healthy and conducive learning environment.
Monitoring and Future Expansions
The distribution of textbooks by the Rajasthan Textbook Board is being closely monitored through the Shala Darpan portal, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process. Director of Secondary and Primary Education, Sitaram Jat, provided insights into this digital oversight mechanism.
Looking ahead, Director Jat revealed that starting from the 2026–27 academic session, the school-level health check-up campaign will be expanded to include students of private schools. This initiative is set to begin on April 16, marking a significant step towards inclusive health monitoring in the education sector.
The Rajasthan Education Department's multifaceted preparations underscore a committed approach to enhancing educational access, quality, and student welfare as the new academic year dawns.
