In a bid to impart quality education to the students studying in government schools on par with private schools, The Punjab Education Department has decided to convert govt schools to smart schools. The motive of this whole exercise is to streamline the education system by delivering quality education.Disclosing this, Punjab Education Minister O.P. Soni said that under this program, 261 smart schools are being set up across the state with special focus on the rural areas. These schools will be developed as model schools in which state of the art facilities be provided to impart quality education. Smart Class Rooms, Solar Energy and ultra modern Sports facilities are being provided in these schools.Divulging details Mr. Soni said that amount of Rs 2769.09 Lakh has been released till date for this purpose. He said that around 21000 smart class rooms are being set up in different schools of the state where education will be provided with the help of modern ICT tools such as projectors etc. E-content is being sent to the schools gradually. He said that PICTES, the executive agency has floated the tender to convert 21319 class rooms into Digital Class Rooms covering 5371 Government Schools (3000 Government Primary Schools and 2371 Government High/Senior Secondary Schools). To provide the Wi-Fi internet connectivity in the Government Schools, an expression of interest was floated and 6 companies have submitted their proposals.
Education Minister said that it is a one of the most crucial and important project of the Punjab education department, which aimed at upgrading the education paraphernalia of the state by delivering quality education to the students. He said that this initiative would help in curbing the mushrooming of private school culture in the state. He said that the students emerging out from these smart classes would be able to clear any competitive exam in this cut throat competition era.Mr. Soni said that Pre-Primary classes have been started and new admissions have been taken place for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years. 1.73 lakh students have been enrolled in the pre-primary sections of different schools. Department also introduced the new program 'Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab' in all govt schools from class 1 to 8th for enhance the learning level of students. English as a medium of instruction has also been introduced in 2387 govt middle, high and senior Secondary Schools of the state.To sharpen the skills of English, Education Minister said that the department has decided to initiate the English training of IELTS level for the students of 10+1 and 10+2 of govt schools.