The state government will only provide free education, mess and hostel facility at any of the six residential schools for meritorious students across Punjab.
The parents and students would have to buy textbooks, school uniform and stationery, textbooks and practical copies on their own. This was announced during the counselling for non-medical stream in Class 11 here on Thursday.
They were also directed to bring all essentials along with them on the first day to school on August 4.
The district education officer (secondary) Paramjit Kaur Chahal had also displayed a list regarding the details of essentials things on the school notice board.
As per the list, the stationery must contain six pencils, two rubbers, one pencil box and three pilot pens. Besides stationery, students will have to bring their own bedding according to the season and toiletries.
A parent, Harish Bansal, who is a resident of Moga, said, “I am a carpenter, and my monthly income is 5,000. When we got to know about this meritorious school, I asked my daughter to apply and she has even got admission. We were of the view that everything will be for free in the school. But, during the counselling, we were informed that we will have to buy school uniform, textbooks and stationery on our own. Even bedding and other essentials like brush, oil, paste, and soap will not be provided to our kids at the hostel.”
Another parent, Jiya Gosal from Barnala, said, “We thought that we should send our child to this new school, as all facilities and better education will be provided here free of cost. But, during counselling, we came to know that we will have to procure most things on our own. The details regarding colour of the uniform and other essentials, which the children are required to bring along, have been displayed on the school notice board.”
Another parent, Jiya Gosal from Barnala, said, “We thought that we should send our child to this new school, as all facilities and better education will be provided here free of cost. But, during counselling, we came to know that we will have to procure most things on our own. The details regarding colour of the uniform and other essentials, which the children are required to bring along, have been displayed on the school notice board.”