In a significant push to revitalize public education infrastructure, the Punjab School Education Department has sanctioned a major renovation fund. On Thursday, the department released a substantial sum of Rs 17.44 crore dedicated to the upgrade and refurbishment of 852 government schools across the state.
Equitable Distribution of Renovation Funds
Punjab's Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, announced the disbursement, underscoring the government's commitment to equitable development. The funds have been allocated to ensure every district benefits, with a clear focus on transparency and community involvement. Minister Bains directed all District Education Officers (Secondary) to transfer the amounts directly into the bank accounts of the respective School Management Committees (SMCs). This move aims to empower local communities and ensure their active participation in overseeing the renovation works.
The district-wise financial allocation is as follows:
- Amritsar: Rs 1.6 crore
- Barnala: Rs 44.6 lakh
- Bathinda: Rs 76 lakh
- Faridkot: Rs 50.3 lakh
- Fatehgarh Sahib: Rs 23.2 lakh
- Fazilka: Rs 1.1 crore
- Ferozepur: Rs 40.4 lakh
- Gurdaspur: Rs 1.2 crore
- Hoshiarpur: Rs 97.4 lakh
- Jalandhar: Rs 97.4 lakh
- Kapurthala: Rs 20.5 lakh
- Ludhiana: Rs 1.5 crore
- Malerkotla: Rs 15.7 lakh
- Mansa: Rs 61.1 lakh
- Moga: Rs 32.7 lakh
- Muktsar: Rs 46.5 lakh
- Pathankot: Rs 37.1 lakh
- Patiala: Rs 1.5 crore
- Ropar: Rs 78.1 lakh
- Nawanshahr: Rs 25.3 lakh
- Sangrur: Rs 2.4 crore
- Mohali: Rs 42.9 lakh
- Tarn Taran: Rs 59.5 lakh
Painting a Brighter Future for Students
Minister Harjot Singh Bains strongly linked the quality of school infrastructure to student performance and engagement. He explained that a well-maintained and vibrant school environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child's educational journey. "A bright, clean and visually organised school environment directly impacts children's concentration and learning experience," Bains stated.
He further elaborated on the broader vision behind this initiative, noting that it is about more than just physical repairs. "We are painting a brighter future for our students and signalling that govt schools are at the heart of our educational revival," the minister affirmed. The goal is to modernize facilities to meet contemporary educational standards, thereby boosting student morale and creating a conducive atmosphere for learning.
A Step Towards Educational Revival
This substantial investment is positioned as a key step in the state's mission to rejuvenate its government school system. By directly funding SMCs, the department is fostering a sense of ownership and accountability at the grassroots level. Minister Bains concluded with a forward-looking statement, emphasizing the human element of the infrastructure upgrade: "By bringing our infrastructure in line with modern educational standards, our goal is to ensure that every child walking into a govt school feels motivated, valued and ready to learn."
The initiative, announced from Chandigarh, reflects a focused effort to enhance the quality of education in Punjab by first improving the physical spaces where learning happens, ensuring they inspire and enable students to achieve their full potential.
