TheEducation Department, adding another innovative initiative to its credit, haslaunched "Smart School Darshan" programme.
Theprogramme is aimed at making the people aware about the changing scenario ofthe government schools in the state. It is pertinent to mention here thatunder the "Sikhiya Sudhar Muhim", the infrastructural facilities havebeen spruced up drastically over the past four years ultimately ushering in anera of qualitative improvement in education.
Now,government schools have started outsmarting private schools in terms ofinfrastructural as well as quality education facilities. The Board results arealso better than the private schools and enrollment is increasing consecutivelyfor the past two years.
Under"Smart School Darshan", the government schools are inviting thecommunity to visit school. Lending a new dimension to the programme, theDistrict Education Officer (SE), Satinderbir Singh, invited Bar Association,Amritsar, to visit government school situated at village TalwandiDasuanda to have a first hand experience of the revolutionary changes inthe government schools.
Theparents and SMC members were also present on the occasion. The DEO (SE),apprised the delegation of Bar Association, led by its president, Vipin Dhand,parents and SMC members of infrastructural changes in the school like beautifulcolour coding, tastefully decorated rooms and verandas with educative BALAwork, smart classrooms, computer and science / math/ English/ S.St. Labs,playgrounds, library, educational parks , shooting range and digital educationthrough LED projectors and latest digital applications.
TheDEO also demonstrated digital education via "Punjab Educare App"developed by the Department. Moreover, the delegation was also apprised ofthe various welfare schemes like free mid day meal, uniforms, scholarships,text books to the eligible beneficiaries and nominal fee structure available ingovernment schools. The various quality education activities were alsodemonstrated to the delegation.
Thedelegation of the Bar Association was visibly mesmerised during the visit.Vipin Dhand, President, sharing his experiences about "Smart SchoolDarshan", on behalf of the Bar Association, said that the delegation wasquite stunned to experience the sea change in the government schools.
Heappealed to the public to avail of the benefits of state of the artinfrastructural and quality education facilities in government schools insteadof paying hefty fees in private schools just in pursuit of quality educationfor their children.
Itis worthwhile to mention here that the Education Department, with a viewto mobilising parents to get their wards admitted in government schools, haslaunched a massive awareness drive. Under the drive, the department has beenmaking optimum utilisation of both traditional as well as digital modes ofpropaganda.
Theofficials, teachers and non teaching employees have been going door to door,organising awareness rallies and camps during religious and social melas,affixing flex hoardings at public places, staging street plays in villages andtowns, playing promotional songs. Besides, e prospectus, google admissionforms, student management system, extensive use of social media like facebook,whatsapp groups are being ensured to create awareness among masses.