Chandigarh, April 29: Following the resolve of ChiefMinister Captain Amarinder Singh to strengthen and consolidate the schooleducation in the state, Punjab Chief Secretary, Ms Vini Mahajan, approved aproposal of Rs 2,941.83 crore for upgrading the infrastructure, modernisation,and strengthening allied facilities at the government schools under the annualwork plan and budget (AWP&B) for the current fiscal 2021-22.
Chairing the third meeting of the executive committee ofSamagra Shiksha Abhiyan, here, the Chief Secretary directed the SchoolEducation department to focus on providing the qualitative and competitiveeducation to equip the students with latest education modes and in turn instilthe sense of self-confidence among them in this competitive era.
Sharing details of the proposal, Ms Mahajan said Rs 591.25crore will be used for strengthening and upgrading schools, Rs 250.84 crorewill be incurred under ICT and digital initiatives, and Rs 1296.14 crore hasbeen allocated for the major components of the AWP&B such as pre-primaryeducation, teacher training, salary, vocational, inclusive education, andproviding uniforms and textbooks to the students.
The Secretary, School Education, Krishan Kumar, apprised theChief Secretary that the work to upgrade 280 schools, construction of 2,761additional classrooms, 3,217 smart classrooms, 531 library rooms and 171science laboratories was going on full swing. Likewise, 2,666 solar panels werebeing installed in the premises of the schools across the state. As many as12,976 schools have already been converted into smart schools in the state,besides registering an increase of 15.07 per cent enrolment in the state’sgovernment schools during 2020-21, he informed.
Notably, different education and literacy promotion schemeslike Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) andTeacher Education (TE) have been integrated into a single scheme -- SamagraShiksha Abhiyan. The scheme envisages free and equitable secondary educationwith effective learning outcomes, irrespective of gender disparities, andvocational training for weaker sections, including persons with disabilities.