Chandigarh, February 4: It is official now that Punjab hasemerged as a pioneer state in the country which has succeeded in bringing inrevolutionary qualitative improvement in school education during the past threeyears. As per the Economic survey 2021, Punjab has reported the highestattendance rate in the country of 61.6 percent of the children in the age groupof 3-5 years i.e. early childhood education.
Punjab school education minister Mr. Vijay Inder Singlasaid, "Incredible as it may seem, but presently, Punjab is witnessing arenaissance era in school education. With a view to strengthen the foundationof learning level from the very beginning, our government, under thestewardship of Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh, is also the first in thecountry to start pre-primary classes on November 14, 2017. This achievementalso mark the continuous efforts of the schools teachers as well who have beenworking hard to transform the government schools"
Mr. Vijay Inder Singla said that the dedicated efforts havefructified in form of overwhelming response from the community as in academicsession 2018-19 the enrollment in pre-primary was 2.13 lakh, in 2019-20 it roseto 2.25 lakh and in the current academic session, 2020-21, the governmentschools have witnessed unprecedented enrollment of around 3.30 lakh students.He added that it indicated the change in the mind set as well as the trustbeing reposed by people in the reforms in school education in Punjab.
Mr. Singla said that moreover, keeping in view the positivechange in the public mindset, which could be gauged from increase inenrollment, the Punjab government has started recruitment of 8393 pre-primaryteachers.
The cabinet minister said that the pre-primary classrooms inabout 13000 government schools of the state have been equipped with state ofthe art "Khed Mahals"( Model Class Rooms) by releasing abundant grants so that the tiny tots could be taught with a play waymethod. He added that in tastefully decorated Model Classrooms, toys, LEDprojectors for facilitating digital education have also been provided to makelearning a joyful experience for the students. He said that besides, thematerial for the Psychomotor skills, outdoor activities like Slides, Swings,See-Saw, Balance Beam and social, intellectual and creative games etc. havebeen provided for the tiny tots.
Mr Singla said, "It also includes teaching learningactivities focused on concepts around pre-reading, pre-number and writing,drawing etc. to ensure a conducive environment to the children for havingbetter understanding, comprehension, vocabulary and oral expression. Teacherswere imparted special training for nourishing the tiny tots during thepre-school. It also aims at creatingawareness in the community regarding the importance of pre-school education andenhancing enrollment."
The school education minister said that though theunprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is unfortunate as it had forced the closure ofschools and forced to maintain social distancing but the Education Departmenthas succeeded in transforming it into an opportunity as the teachers acceptedthe challenge to prove their mettle. He said that they explored new vistas oflatest digital applications and other innovative methods to reach out tostudents and their parents.
"The sacred bond between the teachers and the studentsin particular and society in general have been strengthened manifold during theturbulent period as the society has come to know how much caring the govt.school teachers are for the well-being of their students," Mr. Vijay InderSingla said.