Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Lodha Urges Schools to Prioritize Welfare, Skills and Drug Prevention
Mangal Prabhat Lodha said schools should do more than help students pass exams.
They should also care about students’ well-being and safety.
He asked good schools to help nearby municipal schools with teachers, advice and learning resources.
He also wants schools and parents to work together to prevent substance abuse.
Schools could create small committees with parents, teachers and counsellors for this purpose.
Lodha said parents should spend time with their children and stay involved in their lives.
He believes students should learn practical and job-related skills from an early age.
He also said education should include values, culture, confidence and knowledge about new technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha urged schools to take greater responsibility for student welfare and social development.
He asked established institutions to adopt nearby municipal schools and provide regular expert guidance and modern educational resources.
Lodha called on schools, parents, teachers and counsellors to support the Drug-Free Mumbai campaign.
He proposed school committees with parents, teachers and social representatives or counsellors to raise awareness about substance abuse.
The minister emphasized skill-based education, cultural values, practical knowledge and adapting education to changes driven by artificial intelligence.
- Who
- Maharashtra Skill Development and Employment Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with schools, parents, teachers, counsellors and education experts.
- What
- Lodha urged schools to support student welfare, help municipal schools, prevent substance abuse and expand skill-based education.
- When
- The article does not specify when the event took place.
- Where
- The remarks were made at an education-sector event in Mumbai.
- Why
- He said broader school and community involvement is needed to improve student development, prevent addiction and prepare students for changing educational and employment needs.
- Speaker
- Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtra’s Skill Development and Employment Minister
- Municipal school proposal
- Established institutions were urged to adopt at least one nearby municipal school.
- Teacher support
- Teachers from established schools were encouraged to visit adopted municipal schools at least once a month.
- Substance-abuse committee
- Each school was encouraged to form a committee with two parents, two teachers and a social-organisation representative or counsellor.
- Campaign
- Lodha called for schools to participate in the Drug-Free Mumbai campaign.
- Education focus
- The minister emphasized skills, practical knowledge, values, culture, confidence and student welfare alongside academics.
- Technology
- Lodha said artificial intelligence is significantly changing how education is delivered and accessed.