Percentage of science students low in Punjab: Minister

Chandigarh, Mar 12 (UNI) The percentage of students opting for the sciece and commerce streams in the plus one and two classes in the government schools in Punjab is exceptionally low, with a vast majority still opting for the arts stream.

Acknowledging this fact, Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur told the state assembly during question hour that the percentage of arts students in these classes in government schools was as high as 77.3 per cent while in the commerce stream it was just 4.4 per cent.

The percentage of those opting for the science stream (medical) was a mere 3.9 per cent while for science (non medical) it was 6.2 per cent. The percentage opting for vocational courses was 8.2 per cent.

The Minister while replying to a querry by Charanjit Singh Channi (Ind) in the House said that the government proposes, progressively and in phases to provide facilities for imparting education in all the major streams in optimal number of government schools, as per the preferences exhibited by adequate number of students.

Giving an assurance to this effect, Dr Kaur said that the vacancies of Principals and of Lectures in these schools especially of the promotion quota, are being filled up shortly.

She said that 351 Senior Secondary Schools in the state are being covered by a Rs 142 crore NABARD assisted project. Facilities of 1615 additional class-rooms, 726 science laboratories, 594 other rooms, 1482 toilet units, drinking water facilities for 328 schools and furniture are proposed to be provided in the schools.

Government proposes to set up Adarsh Schools throughout the state to impart quality education, free of cost, to intelligent students from economically backward families, she pointed out.

She said that 4000 teachers for High Schools in the Master Cadre are being engaged in various subjects, so that the educational base of the students to pursue the subjects of their choice at plus one and plus two level is strengthened. About 2100 new computer teachers are also proposed to engaged for the institutions, she added Refresher courses for teachers of Senior Secondary Schools and High Schools are being organised, she said.

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