Punjab: “Schools of Eminence” struggle with operational issues and a staffing shortage

The Punjab government introduced the “Schools of Eminence” (SoEs) initiative in the state in January of the previous year, modeled after Delhi’s Schools of Specialized Excellence. The program attempted to rehabilitate 117 government schools spread over 23 districts, with an emphasis on enhancing education for grades IX to XII. However, even after 15 months of the switch to SOEs, parents, instructors, and students are still unsure about how effective they are.

Additionally, 140 jobs are open in different SoEs for master cadre, lecturers, DPE, lab assistants, and staff members in vocational education. Khadur Sahib (Tarn Taran), Mandaur (Patiala), Millerganj (Dholewal), Gurdaspur, Phagwara, Kartarpur, Bhunerheri (Patiala), Jandiala Guru Girls School, Dasuya, Dirba (Sangrur), Tanda (Hoshiarpur), Batala, Samana (Patiala), Boha (Mansa), Lambi, Bhargo Camp (Jalandhar), Nakodar, Doraha, Hargobindpur Sahib (Gurdaspur), and Malerkotla are among the districts where these positions are distributed. There are also eighteen positions available for class IV workers.

There have been no significant modifications implemented in many schools of excellence (SoEs) in the state, according to sources inside the Education Department. As a result, administrators and staff are unsure about the availability of necessary facilities and the future of middle-class kids in these schools.

Despite the school having been converted to a SoE, the students who were enrolled before the conversion and the SoE students were sharing classrooms, even though they were wearing separate uniforms, according to information obtained during a visit to one of the SoEs in Jalandhar. When it was asked why there had not been a distinct area designated for SoE students, it was found that this was because there were less SoE students overall and there was a staffing deficit.

It was discovered that, with the exception of SoE Adampur, student enrollment in other SOEs in the Jalandhar area is typical. Because these eight institutions haven’t made any special areas for SoE students, both SoE students and past students are using the same resources.

“So yet, nothing has changed save for the schools’ names, which have been altered to SOEs. On condition of anonymity, a school administrator said, “Having some students in blazers and tracksuits and others in old government school uniforms sitting in the same classroom promotes discrimination and does not foster a healthy environment for children.”

Schools chosen for SoEs have been divided into three categories, according to Education Minister Harjot Bains: A, B, and C. He clarified that 14 of the 40 schools in “Category A” are already refurbished and open, with the other 36 falling into the category of basic renovations. Under Category B are schools that need to be completely renovated; bids will be awarded shortly and layout designs are already available. Seven schools in Category C would need extensive repair from the ground up as well as transfer to bigger land areas, which would take time.

When it comes to middle schools, Bains said that only grades IX through XII would be housed in SoEs; middle school pupils will be transferred to other government schools, and plans are in place for this to happen. Regarding worker shortages, Bains noted a notable improvement over the previous two years, going from 60% to 93% staff availability. He claimed that while the process of filling open positions was impeded by the poll code in effect, they will shortly guarantee 100% personnel availability in SoEs.