Amritsar Girl’s Question Prompts Punjab CM to Scrap Age-Based Ranking for PSEB Toppers
A single question from a 17-year-old girl from a small village in Amritsar has led to a significant policy change in Punjab's education system. Gagandeep Kaur, a student of Amber Public Senior Secondary School in Nawa Tanel, questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the Punjab School Education Board's (PSEB) practice of using age as a tie-breaker for determining toppers among students with equal marks. Her query prompted the CM to announce the immediate discontinuation of this rule.
The Question That Sparked Change
During an interaction with the Chief Minister, Gagandeep boldly asked why PSEB declares toppers based on age when marks are identical. She pointed out the inherent unfairness of treating students differently due to age, even when they achieve the same academic performance. Many students present at the event later admitted to having similar concerns but had remained silent. Gagandeep’s courage to speak up brought attention to a rule that had long been accepted without scrutiny.
“It was about fairness, about a simple discrimination that treated students differently,” Gagandeep told the Amritsar Tribune. She scored 98% in her Class 10 PSEB exams, matching the scores of two other students from her school. This personal experience fueled her determination to question the system.
A Voice for Fairness
Gagandeep believes that reforms happen when people ask questions. “We have to face discrimination based on gender, caste, community, and marks, which is wrong,” she said. Her inspiration comes from her Punjabi teacher, Jatinderpal Kaur, who encourages her to read and speak out. Gagandeep loves reading Punjabi poetry and essays of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. In her free time, she goes for walks in her village and helps her mother at home.
Her father, Nishan Singh, works as a driver in the UAE, while her mother, Sukhrak Kaur, is a homemaker. Despite her village’s lack of development, Gagandeep stays informed about community issues. She noted that while drug abuse is a problem, families in her village take a stand against it. Education is also improving, with the local government school recently upgrading to a senior secondary school.
Aspiring to Become a Judge
Gagandeep plans to study law and become a judge. “I feel that I need to speak for people who have no voice,” she said. Her actions demonstrate the power of civic participation. When people question, the government listens, and policy change occurs. Gagandeep’s simple yet profound question has not only changed a rule but also inspired many to raise their voices for fairness.
