Government Policy on Education

The Government of Punjab has recently announced its new Education Policy. Some of the salient features of this new policy is as under:

To increase the literacy rate further, 'Sarav Sikhshya Abhiyan' will be extended to cover all children of the State by the end of 2003. The government will provide Rs 1,100 crore under the Sarav Shikhshya Abhiyan in the next 10 years.

English to be introduced from the third standard instead of the first. From class VI, science subjects will also be taught in English medium and computer education will be introduced at this level.

To increase attendance in schools, mid-day meals has been made compulsory in certain schools and the scheme will be extended to the entire state soon.

Consolidation of the education system by grouping primary and middle schools in one and high and secondary schools in another is attempted at. Primary schools will be merged into middle schools. The secondary education school system will have high and senior secondary schools. The earlier four-tier system— primary, middle, high and secondary schools — will now become two tier.

After consolidation, supervisory control of primary schools will be handed over to the panchayats. The government have already introduced a cluster system to monitor the functioning of the schools. Under this system, all primary and middle schools falling within a 5-km zone of a particular area have been put under the administrative control of the Headmaster or Principal of the high or secondary school situated in that area, with the powers to check attendance of students, teachers and also quality of education imparted.

The number of schools inspected by the District Education Officers have been fixed. Committees have been formed in each village for the development of schools. A state-level committee under the minister will also make surprise inspections of schools.


Affiliation Of Schools

All government schools in Punjab are affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board. All government-aided private schools are free either to have affiliation with the Punjab School Education Board or Central Board of Secondary Education or ICSE after obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the Department of Education, Government of Punjab for VI to XII class. Department of Education, Government of Punjab conducts V class examinations for primary classes.


Encouragement To Private Sector In School Education

The Government of Punjab  is encouraging the participation of private sector for providing good quality education by giving a package of incentives in the form of land at cheaper rates along with  other facilities. The Punjab Government has proposed to set up a chain of Adarsh Schools, at least one in each Block, for providing high quality education even at village level.

Government  also proposes to have at least one Senior Secondary School for boys and girls at each block Head Quarter, to provide education in all  subject areas i.e. Humanities, Science, Commerce and Vocational groups.


Integration Of Elementary Education

Under the Free and Compulsory Education Scheme, all children in the age group of 6 - 14  are  to be provided primary education. In order to achieve the goal of integration of primary education, efforts are being made to increase retention of children in schools and increase the enrollment by opening new primary schools, providing infrastructure in the existing primary schools, adopting innovative approach and decentralised planning, irrespective of any social bias.

Adarsh Schools

Punjab School Education Board is managing nine Adarsh Schools as a pilot project for providing quality education to the students belonging to the rural areas of the State. The administrative, academic and financial control of these schools is with the Board. All these schools have spacious buildings with other modern facilities including the latest equipment pertaining to computer education and information technology. All the schools enroll students from nursery to class XII. Every school is allowed to lease out spare land to the private contractors, for cultivation. The income so received from this is spent on the development of the respective school.


Vocational Education

Vocational Education is provided after High School education in class 11th and 12th in 345 selected schools of the State. Every year about 20,000 students are enrolled in these courses.

List of Vocational Courses / Trades going on at +2 stage: