Chandigarh, April 6:
In a landmark move to revolutionize the state’s education system, the Punjab Government is all set to launch ‘Sikhya Kranti’— a 54-day education festival beginning April 7, to inaugurate newly developed infrastructure projects worth ₹2,000 crore in 12,000 government schools across the state.
Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains announced the initiative during a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Sunday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating an equitable and modern learning environment that empowers students to thrive in the modern times. The massive infrastructure development program includes the construction and renovation of schools, the introduction of modern learning facilities, he added.
“This initiative is a testament to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to providing quality education for all children,” the Education Minister said, while adding that the government schools have been provided with all the required basic amenities, including clean drinking water, high-speed WiFi connections, separate toilets for girl and boy students, desks and chairs, and boundary walls, as mandated by the CM Mann.
He said that Punjab is the first state to appoint campus managers and security guards in schools, in addition to starting bus services for students. Over 10,000 students are currently availing this facility. The Education Minister also highlighted that over Rs 200 crore is spent annually on the upkeep of government schools.
On the first day of the education festival “Sikhya Kranti”, S. Bains said, various infrastructure development projects would be inaugurated in over 350 government schools by the Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries. Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with the State Incharge Sh. Manish Sisodia, will inaugurate a School of Eminence at SBS Nagar.
Inviting the people of Punjab to witness the “Sikhya Kranti”, S. Bains said that all people should visit their nearby schools to be a part of this festival of education.
Highlighting the ambitious program, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that 6,812 schools now have new or repaired boundary walls, covering nearly 1,000 kilometres, ensuring a safer learning environment. 5,399 new classrooms have been constructed to augment classroom facilities. Additionally, 2,976 toilets have been built in 2,934 schools, while 7,166 toilets have been repaired across 4,889 schools. To support students’ learning needs, 1,16,901 dual desks, tables, and chairs have been provided, ensuring that every student has a designated place to study. Furthermore, 359 school playgrounds have been developed to promote physical activity. As many as 2,261 smart classrooms have been equipped with Smart Interactive Panels in 1,886 schools, integrating technology into education for a more engaging learning experience.
The Education Minister said that 118 existing Government Senior Secondary Schools are being converted into Schools of Eminence in the first phase, while, 14 SoE schools have already been dedicated to the public. These schools will be the centers of excellence, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enable peer learning across institutions, and enhance the learning experiences of our children through contemporary schooling practices in the world of school education. Schools of Eminence will cater to students of classes 9th to 12th. All educational streams have been introduced in these schools. Free uniforms are being provided to students. Apart from this, Online/offline coaching for different competitive exams like Armed preparatory forces, NEET, JEE, CLAT, NIFT etc are also being provided to students, he added.
