MUMBAI: In a significant step to improve the state’s education ecosystem, the Maharashtra government has announced the launch of the 'Visit 100 Schools' initiative. The program aims to directly connect the state's leadership with schools to assess the quality of education, encourage student engagement, and drive up enrolment in government schools, particularly in rural areas.

Under this initiative, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, public representatives, and senior government officials will visit at least one school within their constituencies or local areas on the first day of the new academic session. Their primary objective will be to welcome students back to school, assess school facilities, and engage with staff and students.

Additionally, Class 1 and Class 2 rank officers will visit 100 schools in their respective areas to review overall operations. A government resolution (GR) formalizing the initiative was issued on Thursday by the School Education Department, following a directive from the Chief Minister during a meeting held on January 13.

During these visits, officials are tasked with evaluating the schools' infrastructure, campus safety, hygiene conditions, sports facilities, and the quality of education provided. They are also expected to review student learning levels and offer recommendations to school management committees and local leaders to enhance educational outcomes and increase enrolment, especially in Zilla Parishad schools.

The GR further emphasizes the importance of guiding schools in improving essential facilities such as sanitation, nutrition programs, and extracurricular infrastructure. Should any critical issues like unsafe buildings or non-functional toilets be identified, officials are encouraged to recommend immediate corrective measures to the relevant authorities.

The Maharashtra government stated that the broader goal of the initiative is to foster a positive perception of education among parents and society, uplift the confidence of students, and ensure access to quality education for all.

While the 'Visit 100 Schools' campaign reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the public education system and the initiative has been largely welcomed by teachers and educationists, many have underscored the need for visits to be purposeful and constructive. They emphasized that such visits should not interfere with regular academic schedules and instead focus on identifying actionable steps to improve the learning environment.