Mohali, December 13, 2018 (By Rajnish Sareen): The Punjab Education Department, today, added new feather in its cap. It has launched a massive drive to enhance enrollment in pre -primary classes in the state run primary schools. The enrollment drive would be started from December 18. It is worthwhile to mention here that Punjab is the only state in the country, which had started pre-primary classes in govt. schools last year. The Education Secretary , Krishan Kumar, accompanied by the DPI(EE) Inderjit Singh and Anganwari Workers, today, released the brochure highlighting achievements of the first year of the pre-primary classes at Mohali.
While addressing the gathering of District Education Officers(EE), BPEOs, District Coordinators and Block Master Trainers of Parho Punjab, Parhao Punjab, Krishan Kumar, ehorted the teachers to exert their nerves to enhance enrollment in pre-primary classes. " The pre primary classes were started on November 14, last year with a view to achieving twin aims of enhancing enrollment as well as shaping learning level of the tiny tots", said the Education Secretary while adding that the initiative helped to bring as many as 1.70 lakh students under the umbrella of the education department and to provide kids friendly learning environment specially designed activity oriented " Khed Mahals" were set up in the primary schools for the pre primary students. More than 27000 teachers and officials of the education department were imparted training, more than 13000 Material kits as well as grants for preparing innovative Teaching Learning Material(TLM) were provided to ensure all round development of the pre primary kids.
" During the past one year, the teachers , Anganwari workers and officials of the education department have done commendable job to make the first of its kind initiative successful", further said the Education Secretary while underlying the need of strengthening the drive of enhancing enrollment by showcasing the achievements in the community with zest.
While suggesting ways and means of spearheading the enrollment drive to the teachers, the Education Secretary asked them to strike a proper coordination with the Anganwari Workers for the purpose. " The coordination between teachers and Anganwari Workers are the key factor in making the enrollment drive as well as running the " Khed Mahals" successful , which ultimately would provide a strong foundation to the quality education at primary level", said Krishan Kumar. Besides, the teachers should not just completing the formality of distributing brochures, pasting hoardings or slogans regarding enrollment drive but they have to exert their nerves by indulging in micro planning in their respective areas of jurisdiction to make the drive worthwhile in letter and spirit. The teachers should involve the community, NGOs in the drive.The achievements of " Parho Punjab, Parhao Punjab" project in converting the schools into Smart Schools, infrastructure development with community support, bringing in improvement in the quality of education through innovative teaching -learning techniques, e.content , co-curricular and sports activities etc should vigorously be showcased to the community to convert the drive into mass movement. The focus should be on bringing the students studying in private schools to the government schools
The good practices adopted by schools, teachers and Anganwari Workers were also shared during the meeting. DPI(EE), Inderjit Singh, Dr. Jarnail Singh Kaleke, Assistant Director( Trainings), Dr. Davinder Boha, State Coordinator, "Parho Punjab, Parhao Punjab", among others, also addressed the gathering.