Government Policy on Education

Affiliation of Schools
All government schools in Punjab are affiliated with Punjab Schools Education Board. All government aided Private schools are free either to have affiliation with the Punjab School Education Board or Central Board of Secondary Education or ICSE after obtaining a no objection certificate from the Department of Education, Government of Punjab for VI to XII class. Department of Education, Government of Punjab conducts V class examination for Primary classes.

Encouragement to Private Sector in School Education
The Government of Punjab is encouraging the participation of Private Sector for providing good quality Education by giving a package of incentives in the form of land at cheaper rates along with other facilities. Punjab Government has proposed to set up a chain of Adarsh Schools, at least one school in each Block, for providing high quality Education even at village level. Government also proposes to have at least one Senior Secondary School for boys and girls at each block Head Quarter, to provide education in all subject areas i.e. Humanities, Science, Commerce and Vocational groups.

Universalisation of Elementary Education
Under, Free and Compulsory Education Scheme, all Children in the age group of 6-14 are to be provided Primary Education. In order to achieve the goal or Universalisation of Primary Education, efforts are being made to increase retention of children in schools and increase the enrollment by opening new Primary Schools, provision of infrastructure in the existing Primary Schools, innovative approach in the schools and decentralized planning, irrespective of any social bias. The objective of Free and Compulsory Education can be achieved by mobilising Community support in the villages where large percentage of illiterate population resides. Certain pockets in the districts of Ferozepur, Mansa, Sangrur and Bhatinda have a very low literacy rate, especially amongst the Scheduled Casts and economically backward population. In these areas certain incentive schemes have been introduced such as free residential school for day-scholars, non-formal education , stipends and scholarships, free books and mid-day meal. These incentives are not only for Scheduled Cast population but also for economically weaker section of the society.

Drop Outs
Drop out rate of schools children during 1994-95 was 29.22%. To reduce the drop out rate in the Government Schools, the State Government is providing incentives such as Mid-day Meal, free Text books to Schedulede Caste (SC) students etc.

Pre Service/ In-service Training for the Teachers by State Council of Education Research & Training, Punjab (SCERT).
The main thrust of SCERT is on the pre-service and in-service teacher training programmes. For pre-service training to the teachers, 13 District Institutes of Education and Training ( DIET ) are imparting pre-service training & in service training to the primary teachers. For giving in-servicetraining to the secondary School teachers, 12 in-service Training Centres are functioning at various District Headquarters in the State. In addition, State Institute of Science Education imparts in-service training to Science and math Teachers. To impart training in the latest advance educational technology, SCERT organizes seminars for teachers through its educational technology Cell. To bring quantitative improvement in education, SCERT maintains the latest comparative educational data through its Data Processing Unit. Qualitative aspect of Education being the main objective of SCERT, the Evaluation Unit achieves this purpose by working on the system of Examination reforms. Educational and Vocational guidance Bureau motivates the students and teachers towards the dignity of labour and self-employment. Every year about 8000 Primary school teachers & the same number of Secondary school teachers are given training through these centers. Every year Elementary teacher training is provided by SCERT to more than 1700 students through DIETS.

Vocationalisation of Education
Vocational Education is being provided after High School education in class 11th and 12 th classes in the 345 selected schools of the State. Every year about 20,000 students are enrolled in these courses.

Agriculture Group	Agri-business, Horticulture, Repair & Maintenance Operator, Power-drive Farm machinery.
Commerce Group	Office Secretary-ship, Accountancy and Auditing.
Home Science Group	Food Preservation, Textile Craft (Weaving), Commercial Garments Designing & Making, Knitting Technology, Textile Designing.
Engineering Group	Maintenance and Repair of Electrical Domestic Appliances, Repair & Maintenance of Radio & TV, Mechanical Servicing (General), Mechanical Servicing (Auto), Engineering Drawing and Drafting.
General Group	Computer Techniques, Furniture Making & Designing, Manufacturing Leather goods, Manufacturing Sports Goods, Commercial Art.

The Government has recentlly constituted a committee to study and recommend steps for strengthening the Vocationalisation of Education. The report of the committee is expected by mid 1998.

Adrash School Schemes
Scheme is yet to be started. In the 1st phase of the scheme 20 schools will be started and one Adrash School has been ultimatly planned for each Block. It is a corpus body.