In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Punjab Government has appointed as many as 1378 security guards for government schools to further strengthen existing education infrastructure in the state. Chairing an orientation program of security guards held here at local Government Meritorious School, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that these newly appointed security guards would not only take care of safety of students but also ensure that students would not leave the school premises during study time.
He stated that all senior secondary schools having student strength above 500 will have security guards who would ensure safety and security of children inside the school premises. Mr. Bains said that these security guards would remain deployed at the entry and exit of the schools. They will ensure that no student could leave the premises during school time without the permission of the principal besides maintaining records of visitors, he said, adding that the security guards would also manage traffic outside school to facilitate students during entry and exit at schools.
Accompanied by Secretary School Education Kamal Kishor Yadav, the Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has embarked on a special drive to transform the education sector in the state by providing state-of-the art infrastructure in government schools. He further stated that the around 1018 kilometers-long boundary wall of all government schools would be built at an outlay of Rs. 250 crore which would further strengthen safety and security of school buildings.
Likewise, nearly 2000 campus managers were being appointed who would take care of maintenance of the school buildings as these campus managers would spend their maximum time in schools to resolve maintenance issues. The Education Minister also said that for the first time funds have been issued to schools for cleanliness tasks so that school buildings remain clean and hygienic throughout the day.
He mentioned that these funds would be issued as per the student strength ranging from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 50000 per month and principals would utilize these funds to ensure cleanliness of their schools. The minister further stated that the Punjab Government was making strenuous efforts to transform the education and health sectors to put the state on a high-growth trajectory.
He said that in coming years Punjab would become a leading state in these fields as people would get top-class education and health facilities.