DW BUREAU / Nawanshahr

The Punjab government is making concerted efforts to rejuvenate the state's education and health sectors, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday.

Mann launched Sikhya Kranti -- a 54-day "education festival" during which newly-developed infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,000 crore in 12,000 government schools will be inaugurated.

Addressing the gathering after dedicating a new block in state of the art School of Eminence here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts for rejuvenating the health and education system in the state.

He said that till now sending his child to government school was the compulsion of the common man but now it is their wish to do so as the education system has been revamped. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Schools of Eminence have been set up across the state to impart quality education to the students.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for well being of every section of society especially the youth for which no stone will be left unturned. He said that the state government is making every endeavor to groom the students well for various competitions adding that now the students are excelling in the field of education. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the focus is to ensure holistic development of the state and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister said that the previous governments never paid heed towards imparting quality education to the students. He said that the sons and daughters of big leaders used to study in convent schools at hills due to which yeh government schools were never their focus. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that instead of education the government schools were merely mid day meal centres during the previous regimes.

The Chief Minister said that those who had deprived students from quality education and those who have perpetuated sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are being punished for their sins. He said that they have been already ousted by the people from power and now they are already in political oblivion. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punabis will never forgive these culprits for their sins and they will be taught a befitting lesson.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has been sending the teachers abroad and even to prestigious national institutes to upscale their teaching skills. He said that the well trained staff has helped in enhancing the rate of admissions in the government schools of the state adding that Punjab is witnessing education revolution across the nation as the state government has laid major thrust on it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the teachers and Principals are focusing only on education as for all the rest of work, the required staff has been recruited by the state government.

The Chief Minister said that it is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction that more than 54000 jobs have been provided to the youth of the state. He that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit, san any corruption or nepotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is making the youth an active partner in socio economic development of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that state government has launched 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' against the menace of drugs adding that unbounded energy of youth is being channelized in positive direction. He said that it is imperative to save the generations of the state from scourge of drugs as Punjab has already suffered a huge loss of manpower due to this menace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has launched this campaign with active support of the common man so that the scourge of drugs can be wiped out from state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will not sit idly and watch the smugglers bloom at the cost of the dead bodies and pyres of the drug victims. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already snapped the supply line of drugs and big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. He said that for the first time the property of the drug smugglers acquired illegally are being destroyed/ confiscated by the state government so that it acts as a deterrent for others.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is implementing School mentorship program in the state thereby ensuring that the IAS/IPS officers adopt rural schools across the state and mentor the students for excelling in life. He said that this Pilot project will be introduced in 80 schools of eminence of the state and every officer will be allotted the school for a period of five years irrespective of their place of positing. Bhagwant Singh Mann sad that this move will further strengthen the atmosphere of education through conversation with students and teachers along with it the officers will prepare the students for competitive exams and ensure training to teachers for upgrading their skills.

The Chief Minister said that these officers will act a catalyst for mustering resources and resource person for development of these schools. He said that these officers will work as mentors and not as bosses and this work will be voluntary service and interested officers will have to perform it along with their already allocated duties. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this step will further revolutionize education sector in the state.

The Chief Minister said that it gives him immense pride and satisfaction that exceptionally bright students are studying in these schools.

(editor@dailyworld.in)