Punjab govt to give free education to 'gifted' poor

Chandigarh, June 11 (UNI) Putting education on top of the social sector agenda, the Punjab government announced to provide free and quality education to the 'gifted' poor.

''Our government is determined to change the face of rural education and we will even go beyond the Adarsh School scheme to ensure free and quality education to the gifted poor'', Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said while addressing a press conference here today.

When asked whether his government would introduce reservation for rural students in institutes of higher learning, Mr Badal said, ''We are thinking on those lines but are yet to take a final decision.'' As part of its educational policy, the government would set up 144 Adarsh schools, one in each block for imparting quality education to the poor and meritorious students. The first two such schools would be established at Tohra and Khatkar Kalan villages.

Mr Badal also announced that the recruitment of about 10,000 teachers would begin soon to fill all vacancies. He also announced the government's ambitious plans on teacher training and re-orientation programmes.

He said that he had already tied up with some leading educational institutions to provide high-end training and skill up-gradation courses to teachers on a regular basis.

On the technical education front, the government has handed over three incomplete government polytechnic colleges to private parties. The government has also decided to fill 602 posts lying vacant in polytechnic institutions.

The government has also drawn up a plan to set up centers of excellence in 25 ITIs at an estimated cost of Rs 2.50 crore. On medical education, the government has already enhanced the retirement age of medical college teachers from 58 to 60 years in a bid to fill the vacant posts.

UNI