The Australian High Commissioner Ms Harinder Sidhu called upon the Punjab Education Minister, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema here today. The discussions which took place at Punjab Bhawan, were aimed at increasing co-operation in the educational sector between Australia and Punjab.The Education Minister briefed the Australian dignitary about the efforts being made by the Education department to help the students enrich their skills through vocational education. The Minister said that along with the traditional education, the department is providing vocational education as per the latest trends from 9th standard onwards in the 9 trades in 400 schools with the assistance of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The Minister further informed that in the 10 meritorious schools opened for meritorious students of Government Schools, facilities of free education and free boarding and lodging along with free meals are being provided.
Coming to the measures centered on girl education, the Education Minister also briefed the visiting dignitary regarding the free education up to 10+2 and other facilities being provided by the state government besides pointing out the fact that the girls are bagging more seats in the medical stream.On the co-operation offered by the Australian High Commissioner to Punjab in the skill education, teacher training and up gradation of English language standard in the state, Dr. Cheema said that this excellent step of co-operation would prove beneficial for the teaching and student community of Punjab. Earlier, the Australian High Commissioner while briefing Dr. Cheema said that the very fact that a large number of students go to Australia for higher studies makes education a sector which has ample scope of further enhanced co-operation for both Australia and Punjab.On the occasion, the Education Minister honoured the Australian High Commissioner with ‘Phulkari’ and ‘Shawl’. Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Mr. G. Vajralingam, Director General School Education Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal, D.P.I. (Secondary Education) Mr. Balbir Singh Dhol, D.P.I. (Elementary Education) Mrs. Pankaj Sharma and Deputy Director Dr. Ginni Duggal.