THE Punjab education sector has been caught in the crosshairs of the ongoing political feud between the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led regime at the Centre. The recent setbacks in both higher and school education systems underscore the urgent need for a resolution to safeguard the future of students and the welfare of teachers and other staff. A significant blow was dealt recently when the President of India returned the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023. This Bill, passed during a special Assembly session in June last year, sought to replace the Governor with the Chief Minister as the Chancellor of state-run universities. The President’s refusal to clear the Bill has left the administrative structure of Punjab’s higher education in limbo.
Compounding this issue is the Centre withholding Punjab’s share of over Rs 500 crore under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. This crucial funding, meant for upgrading the public school infrastructure, has been halted because of the state’s withdrawal from the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. Punjab says that it has done so as it already has its own comparable schemes, like ‘Schools of Eminence’, ‘Schools of Brilliance’ and ‘Schools of Happiness’, which would be linked with the National Education Policy. The impasse has stalled vital upgrade of school infrastructure, impacting the quality of education. The Centre must ensure a fair distribution of funds.
The state and Central governments need to resolve these disputes on priority. It is imperative that educational institutions receive the necessary support and resources to operate effectively, fostering a stable and conducive learning environment. The ongoing political tussle threatens to undermine the state’s long-term developmental goals, underscoring the need for a more collaborative and less adversarial approach to governance.