Twenty-eight retired state transport buses have been transformed into solar-powered mobile classrooms to offer continuous education to Agariya children in Gujarat’s remote salt-producing regions. Launched under the “School on Wheels” program known as Ranshala, these buses will cater to children from migrant Agariya communities in Surendranagar, Patan, Kutch, and Morbi districts, where seasonal migration often disrupts schooling. The initiative was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi at the Pathikashram ST Depot in Gandhinagar, coinciding with the statewide ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ school enrolment drive.
The project repurposes unused Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses for public benefit, showcasing a sustainable approach to education delivery. These buses, equipped with solar-powered television and Dish TV facilities, will travel from Gandhinagar to Agariya settlements in the four districts, providing a unique educational model for children in remote desert areas. The initiative aims to eliminate the need for children in salt-producing desert regions to travel long distances for education by bringing classrooms directly to them.
Each mobile classroom, created by converting retired GSRTC buses, features a 3.8 KVA off-grid solar power plant capable of operating for up to 48 hours without electricity. These classrooms are equipped with smart televisions, educational channels, FM radio, digital clocks, LED lighting, and various learning aids to support online and offline education. The buses also include recreational facilities, health-monitoring equipment, safety features, and educational displays to enhance the learning environment for Agariya and desert community children.
