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The initiative, backed by the Gujarat Education Department, seeks to strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure. A circular has been issued to District Project Officers and District Project Coordinators to oversee the implementation.
Equipment Allocation Based on School Size and Grade Levels
According to the circular, the distribution of equipment is tiered based on student enrollment and grade levels:
Classes 1–5:
- Schools with up to 100 students: 13 pieces
- Schools with 101–300 students: 30 pieces
- Schools with over 300 students: 28 pieces
Classes 1–8: 49 pieces for schools with 300 students
Classes 6–8: 30 pieces
Classes 6–10: 78 pieces
Classes 9–12: 77 pieces
Special Allocation for PM SHRI Schools
PM SHRI schools in Gujarat will receive additional support:
- Classes 1–5: 155 pieces
- Classes 1–8: 123 pieces
- Classes 6–10: 116 pieces
- Classes 1–12: 118 pieces
Wide Range of Sports Equipment Included
The sports kits will include items for indoor and outdoor games, such as:
- Carrom boards
- Wooden bats
- Badminton rackets
- Footballs
- Volleyballs
- Handballs
- Rubber shot puts
- Chess sets
- Cricket stumps
- Tennis balls
- Stopwatches
Concerns Over Lack of PT Teachers
While the initiative has been widely welcomed, education experts and school administrators have raised concerns over the absence of Physical Education (PT) teachers in many schools. Recruitment for PT instructors has been pending for years, and stakeholders question the effectiveness of providing sports equipment without trained professionals to guide students.
“Distributing kits is a great start, but without PT teachers, the potential of this investment may not be fully realized,” said a senior education official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The state government’s step towards improving school sports infrastructure is seen as a progressive move. However, experts emphasize the urgent need for hiring PT teachers to ensure proper utilization of the equipment and to nurture young sports talent in Gujarat.