Punjab Minister Introduces Innovative Educational Reform Strategies at UNESCO Conference
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Chandigarh, Dec 3 (NationPress) Representing India at the UNESCO Forum on the Futures of Education, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday unveiled the state’s approach to educational transformation, stressing education as the fundamental solution to global challenges.
Addressing the gathering, Bains stated that the Punjab government has initiated an ambitious infrastructure development mission, focusing on creating robust educational ecosystems. This initiative includes constructing thousands of new classrooms, erecting boundary walls for school security, providing bus services to students, installing Wi-Fi in schools, and deploying security guards to ensure student safety.
“These comprehensive measures have been implemented to create a secure and technologically enabled learning environment,” said the minister, adding that Punjab’s educational strategy emphasizes teacher empowerment and global learning.
“The state has launched extensive teacher training programs, sending educators to prestigious global institutions. Principals have received training at the Singapore Principals Academy, while elementary teachers have undergone specialized training in Finland's renowned education model, bringing world-class pedagogical insights to Punjab's schools,” he explained.
He noted that the government has introduced innovative school concepts that transcend traditional educational frameworks. “Schools of Eminence” prioritize professional training, “Schools of Applied Learning” emphasize vocational skills, and the groundbreaking “Schools of Happiness” embody a unique child-psychology-based learning approach designed to foster joyful educational experiences.
Bains articulated a profound philosophy that education extends beyond academic learning, emphasizing that it serves as a comprehensive strategy for tackling global challenges like climate change, terrorism, and social inequities.
The government's mission is clear: ensuring that no child is left behind and that every child has access to quality education that prepares them for future challenges, he added.
“During the UNESCO Forum, I had the honor of not only presenting Punjab's educational innovations but also sharing the rich cultural and philosophical heritage that informs our approach to learning and social development. I seized this global platform to highlight the historic significance of Sri Anandpur Sahib, a place that symbolizes brotherhood and universal harmony. I shared how the Tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, transcended conventional boundaries of color, race, and caste, delivering a transformative message of partnership and collective humanity,” the Cabinet Minister concluded.
