DW BUREAU / Sangrur

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday vowed to further make concerted efforts in the form of pro-people and development oriented policies for emerging Punjab as a frontrunner state in every sphere of life.

Addressing the gathering during a function to mark Punjab's accomplishment in National Achievements Survey, the Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government Punjab is today at number one in this survey whereas it was on 29th rank in 2017. He said that the teachers are the nation builders and they had played an important role in making Punjab number one. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab is today excelling in every sphere whether it is education or development.

Urging the teachers to make the students abreast of the rich cultural heritage of the state, the Chief Minister said that it was imperative for the overall personality development of the students. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is also the need of hour to ensure that the students stay connected with their roots and excel in life. He said that the state government is laying major thrust on the skill development amongst the students to make them capable of living a life with dignity and pride.

The Chief Minister said that education, health and power had acquired a centre stage in the political agenda of the parties due to the concerted efforts of AAP and its national convener Arvind Kejriwal. He said that prior to this none of the political parties had ever bothered about these core sectors that have been most important for a common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every action of the state government is aimed at the well being of the common man adding that no stone should be left unturned for this noble cause.

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 the government schools were never their thrust areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that instead of imparting education, the government schools were merely mid day meal centres during the previous regimes.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is making tireless efforts to transform the destiny of the students by imparting quality education to them at the school level. He said that the state government had embarked on an education revolution in the state which has transformed the lives of students by bridging socio-economic gaps. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is according top priority to the education sector as nothing is more important than the well being of the students.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence that the education sector in Punjab is now undergoing a significant transformation which will yield excellent results for government schools, further bolstering the endeavors of the government. He said that the Punjab government is transforming the infrastructure in the government schools and Punjab will surely emerge as a role model across the country.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is focusing on fact to ensure that the services of teachers are duly utilized only for the purpose of education rather than any other work.

The Chief Minister said that in a paradigm shift Parent Teacher Meetings (PTMs) were organized in the government schools adding that this was a regular practice earlier in private schools but was missing in government schools. He said that this is one of the best practices of education being adopted in these schools for the well-being of the students as Parents and teachers are able to communicate for the betterment of students. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has embarked on an era of education revolution in Punjab and no stone is being left unturned for giving boost to it.

The Chief Minister expressed pride in the fact that over 54,000 jobs have been provided to the youth, purely on the basis of merit, without corruption or nepotism. He said this has made youth active participants in the socio-economic development of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every decision is being taken by the state government for the well being of the people and progress of the state.

Earlier in his address, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that quality education was a dream for the government schools as the education mafia had prevailed in the country.

He said that education had taken a backseat during the previous regimes as they encouraged study in the privately owned schools which were managed by the bureaucrats and politicians. Manish Sisodia said that today Punjab has done wonders by achieving this herculean target adding that Punjab's schools are scripting a new success story.

Manish Sisodia said that today the future of 24 lakh students of government schools is in the safe hands and the education revolution has been embarked in the state.

He said that this has been made possible as the teachers, Principals and other staff have worked hard in consonance with the policies of the state government. Manish Sisodia said that it is a great achievement for which every stakeholder deserves kudos adding that this is the beginning as Punjab is scaling new heights in the education sector.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora, Harjot Singh Bains and Barinder Goyal along with others were also present.

(editor@dailyworld.in)