Capt govt to give edu coupon to border district school students
JALANDHAR: With the education department finding it difficult to depute teachers in border districts’ government schools, the state government is planning to introduce a coupon system for the students to give them access to education in private schools.
“”The cost of education in government schools for one student is ₹3,000 per month. This system would give a coupon of the same amount to the interested student who wants to avail education in private schools, said education minister OP Soni, at a function in Kartarpur on Saturday.
“The plan is just in its initial stages and ready for implementation provided no objection comes from the unions. Then we will also prepare a detailed policy,” he said.
Referring to his plans about the existing school buildings, Soni said that they will plan a strategy to hand over some schools to private or non-government organisations (NGOS) and retain some as government schools.
Soni said that over 25 lakh students are studying in government schools across state.
“The government is spending around ₹9000 crore alone on the salaries of teaching staff, he added.
The department has also decided to upgrade the infrastructure in more than 4700 schools this year.
Soni said that work would commence on these schools very soon. Besides upgrading the infrastructure, the department would also set up smart classrooms, computer labs, libraries, RO system and install solar panels on the rooftops.
The education minister further said that the process of rationalisation of teachers is going on and would be completed soon. “All government schools would have adequate teaching staff,” he said. “the policy would ensure proper utilisation of resources, making Punjab a leading state in the education sector,” added Soni.