Gandhinagar, Gujarat – The Gujarat government has rolled out an innovative 'School on Wheels' initiative, transforming 28 old buses into fully equipped mobile classrooms to ensure continuous education for children of Agariya salt workers. Named 'Ranshala', these buses were flagged off from Gandhinagar on Tuesday by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi as part of the state's 'Shala Praveshotsav' campaign.
Bringing Education to Remote Kutch
The Agariya community, involved in salt farming, seasonally migrates to remote areas of the Little Rann of Kutch for approximately eight months each year after the monsoon. During this period, families live in temporary huts and tents, making consistent schooling a significant challenge for their children, typically aged six to 14.
This initiative directly addresses the educational gap created by this migratory lifestyle, bringing learning resources directly to the children in their remote desert locations. The project is a collaborative effort between the Education Department's Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC).
Smart Classrooms on Wheels
Adopting a 'waste to best' concept, the Gujarat State Transport Department converted these previously unused GSRTC buses into modern learning environments. Each 'Ranshala' bus is self-sufficient and packed with features designed to facilitate comprehensive education:
- Power: Equipped with a 3.8 KVA off-grid solar power plant, allowing up to 48 hours of operation without an external electricity connection.
- Learning Tools: Features a 43-inch smart TV, Dish TV connectivity for educational channels, FM radio, and various digital learning aids.
- Comfort & Facilities: Includes wall-mounted fans, an LED lighting system, portable study tables, flexible seating arrangements, a clean drinking water system, washbasin, and a special water storage tank.
- Integrated Library: Each bus boasts an in-built library and a separate cabin for teachers.
- Outdoor Expansion: A foldable outdoor shade net can extend the classroom space outside the bus.
- Health Monitoring: Digital weighing machines, height measurement systems, and BMI charts are included to monitor children's health, alongside some entertainment facilities.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi highlighted that this unique initiative, launched under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's guidance, exemplifies the state's commitment to ensuring no child is left behind due to geographical or socio-economic circumstances.