Welcoming the first batch of 36 state government school principals, who returned after training at Singapore, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said that this paradigm shift of equipping the principals with best global teaching practices has heralded a new era of education revolution in the state.
Interacting with the principals after their return in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, Mann said that the enhanced and enriched expertise of the principals will help in grooming the future of the students in view of their interests.
He said it is a red letter day in the history of the state as these principals will act as a catalyst in imparting quality education to the students. Mann said the state government has started this program with an aim to rejuvenate the education system in the state on one hand and to ensure a bright future for the students on the other.
The CM said that this first of its kind initiative by the state government is part of the scheme for teachers’ foreign training cleared by Cabinet. Speaking about this unique initiative, he said that when a new policy is introduced then the voice of dissent crops up but he will never hesitate to take any decision which is in the interests of the state.
Mann said he is well aware of the basic problems of teachers as he is the son of a teacher adding that his government will utilise the services of teachers only for teaching and not for any other work.
The CM said that he had got a letter from the Union Government to depute teachers in census duty but he categorically refused the same and asked them to deploy educated youngsters. He said it will help in job opportunities for youth on one hand and ensure quality education to our students on the other.
Mann said this initiative will open doors of quality education for the students of government schools thereby enabling them to compete with their convent educated peers and excel in life.
The CM said as a part of this guarantee the first batch of 36 government school principals had gone to Singapore on 4 February for professional training. He said that these principals during their stay at Singapore had participated in a Professional Teacher Training seminar from 6 February to 10 February .
Addressing the gathering, the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said this unique endeavour of Punjab government will go a long way in reforming education system in the state.