Punjab News: Before speaking at the Sikhiya Kranti Rally on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national leader Arvind Kejriwal opened the state’s first “School of Eminence” in Amritsar.
Arvind Kejriwal and Mann Outline Ambitious Reforms
Chief Minister @BhagwantMann and Delhi Chief Minister @ArvindKejriwal embarked on series of landmark steps for complete overhaul of school education in the state at a cost of ₹1600 crore. Addressing the gathering during Sikhiya Kranti Rally, (1/3) pic.twitter.com/1kounurz2t
— Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) September 13, 2023
At the rally, Kejriwal declared that the state had started an educational revolution. Mann stated during the rally that this is one of several “landmark” moves towards a total reform of the state’s educational system, for which a budget of 1,600 crore has been set aside. According to Mann, 358 crore will be used to build perimeter walls at more than 7,000 schools. The CM further stated that a fund of 25 crore has been set aside for seats and furnishings, a fund of 60 crore has been set aside for restrooms, and a fund of 800 crore is being used to build 10,000 new classrooms. Additionally, both CMs visited the school and spoke with both students and instructors while on a tour of it.
AI Courses and Upgraded Schools Lead the Way
“The work for upgrading the schools is underway. Campus managers are being provided in each school along with two security guards,” Mann said. The chief minister of Punjab announced that government institutions all around the province will begin offering Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses. “Nearly 1 lakh students will be imparted training in AI. Training will also be given to 10,000 teachers for AI courses, Mann said, adding that earlier Punjab was known for the Green Revolution and White Revolution, and now the state will be known for the ‘Education Revolution’. An education revolution has started in Punjab. The school which we have inaugurated today is not an ordinary school. I can say with challenge that any big private school will not have the facilities which are there in this school,” said Kejriwal while addressing a public rally here after the inauguration event.
New Transport and WiFi Revolutionize Schooling
Mann said that a new transport facility for pupils at government schools has been created as part of another historic endeavour. “Transport service has been started in the state for facilitating the students, especially the girls. Soon, Punjab will also be the first state in the country to have a WiFi facility in every school. Within six months all schools in the state will be equipped with internet facilities”, Mann said. The first bus that will provide travel options for pupils attending government schools was also marked off by both CMs.
Advocating ‘One Nation, One Education’ Amidst Political Critique
On stage at the gathering, in addition to Mann and Kejriwal, were Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak and education minister Harjot Singh Bains. Kejriwal advocates for the ‘One Nation, One Education’ approach Speaking to the crowd, Kejriwal criticised the Narendra Modi-led BJP administration for promoting the “One Nation, One Election” concept and advocated for “One Nation, One Education.” “These days, they (BJP) have come with ‘One Nation, One Election’ but you should never let it happen. What does a leader fear, it is the election. At the time of Nagar Nigam, Panchayat, Assembly and Parliament elections, leaders come to seek votes from you. But If elections are held at one time, they will not show their face for four-and-a-half years,” the Delhi CM said. Without naming anyone, Kejriwal said, “It has been 75 years (since Independence), I don’t remember any party talking about building schools, good hospitals…even now they don’t say so, their intentions are bad”.
Congress Partnership Uncertain for 2024
No comment on the Congress partnership. Kejriwal decided to keep quiet about the INDIA bloc’s planned alliance with the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mann claimed that Captain Amarinder Singh during the Congress rule and the Badals during the SAD dictatorship in Punjab both used to claim that the government was in debt. “But when the AAP is doing so much work in the health and education sector and giving free power, these parties are left surprised and wonder where we are getting money for this development, he said, adding there is no dearth of funds, but previous regimes had looted Punjab,” he said. Protesters detain and disrupt rally Singh Police Covid volunteers and unemployed ETT instructors attempted to disrupt the gathering, but were apprehended by police and led away from the location.
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