Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared a groundbreaking shift in the state’s education sector as approximately 27 lakh parents participated in government schools' mega parent-teacher meetings (PTMs). During his visit to a School of Eminence in Patiala, Mann described the PTM as a historic event, emphasizing the active engagement of parents in discussing their children’s academic progress, school environment, and curriculum.
He labelled the initiative as one of the best practices in education aimed at enhancing student well-being. The Chief Minister highlighted that this engagement provides teachers a vital platform for sharing insights about student performance.
Mann announced the government's commitment to professional development for educators to brace educational standards further. Six batches of 202 principals and education officers have been sent to Singapore for a five-day Leadership Development Programme, while 72 primary teachers recently embarked on a training journey to Finland. Additionally, three batches of 152 headmasters and education officers receive advanced academic training at IIM Ahmedabad.
Mann also noted significant staffing improvements within the School Education Department, revealing that over 12,000 employees who have served for more than a decade have been regularized. Since April 2022, the recruitment of 10,361 teachers has also taken place, underscoring the government’s focus on enhancing educational quality.
In terms of infrastructure, the Chief Minister announced an allocation of Rs 82 crore for safety and cleanliness in schools. He shared that 118 government schools are transforming state-of-the-art institutions, with a budget of Rs 29.3 crore dedicated to providing high-speed internet connections across all government schools in Punjab. This comprehensive strategy aims to ensure that students receive a world-class education, positioning Punjab at the forefront of educational reform in India.
