While speaking in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday, Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, announced free education for girls from nursery to the doctorate level in government schools and universities of Punjab.
Amarinder said his government will also seek to increase budgetary support in the education sector, and five new colleges will be constructed in the current year.
A spokesman also added that the government will introduce free textbooks to all the students of government schools. Also, pre-primary classes (nursery and LKG) in government schools from the next academic session will also be introduced.
Free internet facility will also be available in 13,000 primary schools and all 48 government colleges.
Singh also added that textbooks will be posted online as part of the government initiatives to improve the education scenario in the state. It would enable students and parents to download them free of cost.
As an option, English as the medium of instruction will be offered in the government schools. From July onwards, English medium will be started in at least two primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools in each educational block in the state.
The state government also proposes to set up two new Sainik Schools in Gurdaspur and Mansa, and another institute on the lines of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy, Mohali, to train youth to join the armed forces.
