Chandigarh, March 7: Inculcating competitive skills and improving the performance of the government schools in the state, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, on Friday, honored a total of 161 government schools with the “Best School Award” carrying a total prize money of Rs 11 crore.

Hands-over cash prizes worth Rs. 11-CR

Addressing the gathering during the award function at MC Bhawan here, Harjot Singh Bains said they awarded 92 primary, middle, high, and senior secondary schools for the session 2023-24 and 69 middle, high, and senior secondary schools for the session 2024-25 today. He further informed that they awarded primary schools with Rs. 2.5 lakh cash prize each, middle schools with Rs. 5 lakh each, high schools with Rs. 7.5 lakh each, and senior secondary schools with Rs. 10 lakh each.

Best School Award : Schools to Set Example, Says Education Minister

He said they selected these schools based on merit, focusing on strict parameters like student performance, attendance, community participation, and school infrastructure maintenance. Extending the heartfelt congratulations to all the award winning schools, Harjot Singh Bains said that these schools would be role models for others to follow their footsteps to excel in the field of education. Bains asked the school heads to be catalysts of change. This change is part of the educational revolution brought by the AAP led Punjab Government. He also conveyed his best wishes to the heads. Furthermore, his best wishes go to the entire school staff of award winning schools. He praised them for their remarkable feat. He mentioned that the government is also mulling to introduce the state-level Best School Awards from the coming session. Underlining the role of school heads in transforming the schools, Bains urged the award-winning school heads to boost student enrollment in government schools. They should promote the initiatives taken by the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. These initiatives provide the best quality education and necessary amenities in the schools. Additionally, the government equips school teachers with the latest teaching methodologies. They send them to renowned institutions like University of Turku (Finland) for training. This ensures world-class standards of education in the state government schools.

Bains also congratulated Secretary School Education Ms. Anindita Mitra

Bains also congratulated Secretary School Education Ms. Anindita Mitra and all the women teachers and staff on the eve of Women’s Day. He mentioned that the Punjab Government has been promoting women empowerment. He added that a large number of schools are headed by women principals. Meanwhile, the Secretary School Education Ms. Anindita Mitra quoted the Iconic leader Nelson Mandela’s famous line. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She encouraged the teachers to be a change-maker in shaping a progressive society. She also extended her best wishes to the heads and staff of the award winning schools. Prominent amongst others, Special Secretary School Education Rajesh Dhiman was present. Punjab Development Commission member Anurag Kundu also attended. Director School Education (Secondary) Paramjeet Singh was there during the event.