Edu secy takes up enrolment issues with officials

Ludhiana: Days after around 29% increase in school enrolment — highest in the state — was registered in the Ludhiana district, Punjab education secretary Krishan Kumar called a meeting to discuss the issues faced by the officials during the admission season.
The meeting was held at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, on Monday and was attended by all the district education officers (DEOs), block primary officers (BPOs) and cluster head trainers who shared their experiences and problems faced during the enrolment process.
Reflecting on the highest enrolment feat, Kumar said Ludhiana should be made a model for other districts. “However, there still more work needed to be done when it comes to pitching the idea of government schooling in all societal strata. We must need to change people’s mindset that only students from weaker sections study in government schools. This can be done by strengthening the infrastructure and quality of education.”
He added, “We are planning to start foreign languages like French, Spanish etc., but the first preference get more and more students enrolled in our schools. Transportation will be provided to the students who want to pursue science and commerce as some schools don’t have these streams.”
While taking stock of the issues, Kumar was apprised about transportation being one of the biggest hurdles for schools besides inadequate infrastructure, impact of results on salary increments, court case on a school and working of anganwadi centres.
Raikot BPO Des Raj Singh raised the issue of one school running in two separate buildings. He said, “Government Primary School for Boys, Raikot, has another branch in Jind Maseid which is a few kilometres away. There are 320 students in the main building while the other houses 220. This was done in view proximity to homes of the students. However, it is difficult to manage as there is only one head teacher in the school. We have requested for a full-fledged school with new head teacher.”
Kumar then directed DEO (elementary) Balvir Singh to take action in this regard.
The officials were also giving encouragement letters for their work. Around 16 block primary education officers were awarded appreciation letters.
The education secretary later met city-based industrialists seeking funds to revamp government schools.