Chandigarh, 16 May (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday flagged off a batch of 72 government school teachers for advanced training in Finland, calling it the largest such initiative undertaken by the state so far. He said the move reflects the government’s strong commitment to transforming the education sector through global exposure and modern teaching practices.
The selected teachers will undergo specialized training at the University of Turku in Finland until May 29. The program will focus on advanced pedagogical techniques, innovative classroom practices, student-centric learning models, and globally benchmarked education systems. The Chief Minister emphasized that such international exposure would help bring meaningful and lasting changes to classrooms across Punjab.
Addressing the teachers before their departure, Mann said that the state government is not only investing in infrastructure but is also working towards rebuilding the entire education ecosystem. He described teachers as “true nation builders” and said their role is crucial in shaping future generations.
Highlighting the progress made in recent years, Mann stated that Punjab’s government schools are now performing better than many private institutions in board examination results. He also pointed out that Parent-Teacher Meetings, introduced by the current government, have seen large participation from parents, indicating growing trust in public education.
Citing data from NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister claimed that Punjab has outperformed several traditionally strong states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Haryana in multiple education parameters. He added that the state has shown remarkable improvement in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and languages, along with advancements in digital learning and smart school infrastructure.
Mann also praised Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains for actively monitoring reforms and ensuring their effective implementation at the grassroots level.
Concluding, the Chief Minister said Punjab is now looking beyond conventional reforms and is aligning its education system with global standards. He expressed confidence that such initiatives will make government schools the first choice for parents and students in the coming years.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
