Punjab Government Takes Major Steps to Secure a Bright Future for Students

Online Coaching and Business Blasters Program Lead the Way for Holistic Development

Chandigarh: Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is making continuous efforts to ensure a brighter future for students across all sections of society. Various initiatives have been launched to enhance the academic and entrepreneurial prospects of students in government schools.

Online Coaching for JEE and NEET

The Education Department of Punjab has introduced online coaching for JEE and NEET in government schools. With the support of IIT Kanpur, AI-based software has been developed to provide comprehensive training in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The course, spanning 1.5 to 4 months, is linked with the Ministry of Education’s School Education Department and the Sathi App, ensuring students receive top-tier preparation for competitive exams.

Business Blasters Program: A Boost for Young Entrepreneurs

The Punjab government’s Business Blasters Program, initiated in November 2022, has garnered immense popularity among students. Part of the Young Entrepreneur Program Scheme, it aims to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging students to transition from job seekers to job creators.

Under this initiative:

5,000+ lecturer-grade teachers in government schools have been trained to guide students.
Seed money totaling â‚¹10.41 crore has been released into students’ accounts to help them develop and execute their business ideas.
The program has been implemented in 1,920 government senior secondary schools across 23 districts, involving 1,83,192 students of Class 11th.
This year alone, 1,38,676 students registered for the program, showcasing its growing appeal. The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of transforming Punjab into a hub of young entrepreneurs.

Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students

To support students from Scheduled Castes, the Punjab government has taken significant measures:

Financial aid of Rs 9.92 crore has been disbursed to 1,503 institutions for students in Classes 10+1 and 10+2.
A cumulative amount of Rs 92 crore has been released to 256 institutions, ensuring fee payments for the years 2017-2020 under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.
Financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, providing transparency and efficiency.

Health Awareness in Schools

In addition to academics, the Punjab government is focusing on the health and well-being of students:

One teacher in each government school will be designated as a Health Ambassador and trained to raise awareness about healthy habits.
Campaigns, based on NCERT guidelines, will encourage children to adopt balanced diets and regular exercise to combat rising obesity levels.
The initiative aims to promote a holistic approach to education by integrating health awareness into the school curriculum.

Infrastructure and Additional Support

The Punjab government has made substantial improvements in educational infrastructure and parental involvement:

118 Schools of Eminence and 17 girls’ senior secondary schools have been opened across the state.
Transport facilities have been introduced for students, significantly improving accessibility to schools.
Programs such as Mission Sampada, Mission Abhishek, and Mega PTM have been launched to enhance students’ grade-level competencies and foster active parental participation