Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, Feb 26: In one of the largest technological overhauls in Punjab’s educational history, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday announced a massive Rs 400 crore digitalisation project under the Punjab Sikhya Kranti, stating that the Bhagwant Mann Government has initiated an unprecedented transformation that will equip government schools with state-of-the-art technology and fundamentally redefine classroom teaching across Punjab.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann termed the initiative a transformational milestone in Punjab’s education journey and said, “This is a historic intervention. Never before in the history of Punjab’s government schools has digital infrastructure been rolled out at such scale. Under Punjab Sikhya Kranti, we first strengthened classrooms and improved learning outcomes. Now we are ensuring that every child has access to modern digital tools. Our students must be prepared not just for today, but for the future.”
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the ambitious initiative will replace outdated hardware and phase out obsolete computer systems while ensuring that all government Senior Secondary Schools, High Schools and Middle Schools are equipped with the latest digital infrastructure.
Sharing details of the historic intervention, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “As many as 38,649 brand-new desktop computers equipped with the latest software are being deployed across 5,012 government schools. These will be distributed to all Senior Secondary and High Schools, as well as 50 percent of Middle Schools, ensuring that students have access to the latest hardware and technology.”
He further informed that dedicated computer labs will be established in 5,000 government schools, ensuring that all Secondary and Senior Secondary government schools have fully functional computer labs. “To foster interactive learning, we are installing 8,268 Interactive Flat Panels in 3,694 schools. Every Senior Secondary and High School will receive these panels, with larger schools receiving four, five or even eight units based on student strength. This massive infusion of technology ensures that digital literacy and smart learning are no longer the privileges of private institutions but the fundamental right of every student in Punjab’s public school system,” he said.
Describing the move as a decisive shift from traditional chalkboards to technology-driven smart classrooms, the Education Minister noted, “The move would phase out obsolete computer systems. For too long, our students were working on computers so outdated that they barely functioned, still running on old versions of Microsoft Paint. We are changing it permanently.” |
