Govt ensuring holistic development of students: CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government was ensuing holistic development of the students to bring out their best and turn them into responsible citizens. He was addressing the students and staff of Pinegrove School, Dharampur, during their 33rd Founder’s Day celebrations today.

The Chief Minister reviewed a parade and took salute of the march past put up by the school’s NCC contingents of boys and girls. The ceremonial march with the Pinegrove School flag was an admirable spectacle of harmony, unity and pride while the School Brass Band impressively marched to the tunes of ‘Swagatam’, ‘General Salute’, ‘Taqat Watan Ki’, ‘Review Order’and ‘Saare Jahaan se Achcha’.

While addressing the gathering later, the Chief Minister said, “The state government is continuously modifying the education system to ensure the holistic development of students at all levels. In the financial year 2024-25, the education budget in the state has been increased by 17 per cent vis-a-vis last year.”

In a bid to make the students future ready, education through English medium has been kick-started in government schools from class one. Besides, Rajiv Gandhi Government Day Boarding Schools are being opened in every Assembly constituency for the overall development of the students, he informed while elaborating upon the initiatives taken by the government in the field of education.

“In a bid to inculcate sensitivity towards environment and water conservation, it has been decided to install rain water harvesting system and grid connected 'Roof Top Plants' in the day-boarding schools,” he informed.

The Chief Minister also threw light on other government initiatives like courses in artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning and drone training being started in technical institutions to enhance the employability of the youth. He also gave a brief on other schemes catering to the health of the school going children.

“As many as 15,181 children of the state up to eighth class are benefitting from this Mukhyamantri Bal Poshan Aahar Yojana. The state government is bearing the education and other expenses of 5,000 orphans under the Chief Minister Sukh Ashray Yojana.

He said the peaceful environs of the state are conducive to education while lauding the efforts of the Pinegrove School management in ensuing overall development of the students. He also visited an art, handloom and photography exhibition put up by the students of the school and appreciated their talent.

Gymnastics groundwork display put up by the students proved the dexterity and grace of the young gymnasts and the valour shown by them as they dived through the Ring of Fire leaving the audience mesmerised. The students read out the Annual Report 2024 featuring accomplishments of the school in the current academic year. The event culminated in a vibrant dance of 115 students performing bhangra with its vibrant movements and high-energy music, a wonderful celebration of the life, joy and the spirit of Punjab.