Punjab Bureaucrats Step Up as School Mentors
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Synopsis
The Punjab government’s ‘School Mentorship Program’ has gained remarkable support, with 100 bureaucrats volunteering as mentors for school children. The initiative aims to connect young minds with civil servants to inspire and guide them in achieving their aspirations.
Key Takeaways
- 100 bureaucrats volunteered as mentors in 3 days.
- Program connects students with civil servants.
- Over half of applicants are young officers.
- Open for applications until April 20.
- Focus on improving learning environments.
Chandigarh, April 8 (NationPress) The Punjab government’s ‘School Mentorship Program’ has garnered an impressive response, with 100 bureaucrats, including IAS, IPS, and PCS officers, volunteering as mentors within just three days of its launch, as reported by School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday.
This innovative ‘School Mentorship Program’ aims to motivate and guide young minds to reach for their aspirations.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between aspirations and opportunities for government school students by connecting them with civil servants.
Bains informed the media that a thorough analysis of applications revealed that more than half are from young officers, particularly those who joined the service between 2015 and 2024.
Among the 100 applicants, 41 are Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including seven from pre-2005 batches, 14 from 2005-2015 batches, and 20 from Batch 2016 onward.
Additionally, 48 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers participated, comprising nine from pre-2005 batches, 16 from 2005-2015 batches, and 23 from Batch 2016 onwards.
Moreover, three Punjab Civic Services (PCS) officers and eight from other services have also expressed interest.
Bains mentioned that schools located in border areas and remote regions, such as Pathankot, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur, have attracted significant interest from the officers.
“The participation of such a vast number of officers in this commendable cause is genuinely inspiring,” the minister stated, adding that having “our bureaucrats guiding students in our most underserved schools will lead to a transformational change in Punjab’s education landscape.”
He noted that the program remains open for interested officers wishing to adopt a school, with applications accepted until April 20.
The mentor officers will regularly visit and collaborate with their schools, providing career counseling to students, organizing exposure visits, training teachers in innovative pedagogies, enhancing parental involvement in schools, piloting new ideas, and improving the overall learning environment.
These officers will actively engage with students, teachers, and principals to inspire students to dream big and pursue ambitious goals, while also assisting teachers in implementing innovative teaching methods and utilizing their experiences and networks to enhance school infrastructure, resources, and exposure opportunities.
