Punjab education minister orders revamp of New Chandigarh school

Accompanied by department officials, Harjot Singh Bains walked through the school corridors, inspected classrooms, and visited the playground

Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday conducted a surprise inspection of the Government Senior Secondary School in Hoshiarpur, New Chandigarh, and ordered an immediate overhaul of the premises after finding the infrastructure in neglect.

Taking to X, the minister noted that the school requires a “major revamp” and confirmed that directions have been issued to officials for an urgent upgrade. (HT File)

Accompanied by department officials, Bains walked through the school corridors, inspected classrooms, and visited the playground. He also interacted with students and faculty to assess the daily challenges faced by the institution. Taking to X, the minister noted that the school requires a “major revamp” and confirmed that directions have been issued to officials for an urgent upgrade.

The visit comes as the state pushes its Hunar Shiksha (Skill Education) initiative. Bains recently announced that the programme, currently a pilot project across 40 schools, will soon be expanded. The initiative aims to integrate practical skill-based training with traditional academics starting from Class 9, ensuring students are job-ready by the time they finish Class 12.

Under this scheme, the Punjab government has partnered with industry experts, including healthcare institutions like Apollo, to design specialised curricula. Students enrolled in the programme receive dual certification—one from the education board and another recognised by the industry—to enhance their employability in sectors such as healthcare, fashion design, accounting, and digital design.

Emphasising a shift toward vocational independence, Bains said that the objective is to reduce the sole dependency on higher education for employment. “True self-confidence is not derived from certificates alone, but from belief in one’s own abilities and skills,” he added, noting that courses like painting and computer education are also being offered to foster a culture of self-employment and entrepreneurship among Punjab’s youth.