category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal announced that the 4000 Play Way schools established in the state will now be recognized as Bal Vatika Schools. The government also plans to establish a similar number of additional schools in the future. Anganwadi centers have been transformed into schools to provide children with an education that incorporates sports and play. In an effort to enhance the quality of education in the state, 124 PM Shri schools will be opened in the first phase from the upcoming session. An additional 128 schools will be introduced in the second phase, increasing the total count to 252. Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal presided over the inauguration ceremony of PM Shri Schools, an event organized by the Haryana School Education Department in Rohtak on Wednesday. Chief Minister said that education wields the power to shape the destinies of both the youth and the nation. It plays a pivotal role in realizing the objectives set forth for the nation s progress. He also highlighted the significance of imparting not only good values and behavior but also fostering a deep understanding of history and culture among children and an attachment to it. In alignment with the new education policy initiated by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, provisions have been made for education that is oriented toward employment. In the context of the PM Shri Schools program, the Chief Minister said that this initiative not only shows respect for schools but also extends that respect to the individuals involved with the schools. He called upon teachers to provide informative and value-based education to elevate the students standards. He emphasized that in order for today s students to evolve into responsible citizens of tomorrow, they must be instilled with good values and be provided with a conducive learning environment. Now, it s the teacher s role to determine the best techniques for guiding the children forward. During the event, Union Education Minister Sh Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal presented a valuable gift to the state by inaugurating the 124 PM Shri schools in first phase. He also unveiled school app of the education department and the mobile application for the Nipun program, offering significant benefits to the students. He also emphasised the significance of the National Education Policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi s leadership and said that this policy is paving the way for the future of the younger generation. He commended the outstanding efforts made by Haryana in the education sector, highlighting that the state is emerging as a leader in education in the country. He also praised Haryana s transparent teacher recruitment and online transfer policy, which has garnered a 90 percent satisfaction rate among teachers. He also mentioned the promotion of skill and technology-based education and the emphasis on mother tongue in the new education policy. He also appreciated the achievements of Haryana players in the Asian Games. Under the PM Shri Schools initiative, an amount of Rs 2 crore will be allocated over five years to enhance infrastructure development. Speaking on this occasion, Haryana Education Minister Sh Kanwar Pal said that the state government, under Chief Minister Manohar Lal s leadership, has increased the number of Model Sanskriti Schools from 22 to 147. In the first phase, an allocation of Rs 85 crore has been provided by the Central Government for the establishment of 124 PM Shri schools. The process of selecting 128 PM Shri schools for the second phase has already commenced.Discussing the successful outcomes of the Super 100 scheme, which was launched in the state, he said that 252 economically disadvantaged students have been selected for NEET, 127 for IIT, and 26 for MBBS courses. (editor dailyworld.in)