Realizing the unprecedented success of the ‘Meritorious School’ model in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved the setting of three more such schools at Sangrur, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur districts at a cost of Rs. 30 crore each to provide free quality education and hostel facilities for all the brilliant students of the government schools, who had scored 80% or above marks in the Matriculation examinations. This decision was taken by Mr. Badal during a meeting to review the progress of Meritorious Schools here at CMO this morning.
While finalizing the design & layout of the upcoming schools, the Chief Minister said that the these schools would be established on the pattern of already existing seven such Meritorious Schools at Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Talwara (Hoshiarpur). These schools were not only imparting academic education but also providing coaching to students for the competition exams, communication skills etc. so as to compete at par with their peers from public and convent schools.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema informed the Chief Minister that there was an upsurge in the number of students aspiring to seek admission in these meritorious schools, which was evident from the fact that nearly 8400 students from various Government Schools across the state were eligible this year against 3500 of last year. He also told Mr. Badal that 3150 students have been admitted in seven meritorious schools, of which 1950 girls and 1200 boys.Prominent amongst who were present in the meeting, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretaries to CM Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Chief Architect Ms. Sapna.