In a momentous move to reshape the state’s educational landscape, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann – along with his Delhi counterpart and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal – on Sunday inaugurated 13 Schools of Eminence (SoEs) — marking a significant milestone in the state's commitment to providing quality education accessible to all.
Among these institutions, the School of Eminence in Ludhhiana’s Indrapuri stole the spotlight as the first government school in the State equipped with a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a tennis court — a groundbreaking initiative challenging the traditional dominance of private schools in offering top-tier facilities.
The inauguration ceremony, graced by Kejriwal and Mann at the Indrapuri school campus, witnessed a personal interaction with students and parents, emphasizing the hands-on approach adopted by the leaders in fostering a new era of education. The other 12 schools were inaugurated virtually — a move set to revolutionize the state’s education system.
Chief Minister Mann, addressing the media, expressed pride in the state's stride towards providing quality education for every child, transcending economic barriers. He highlighted the monumental role these Schools of Eminence would play in empowering students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to dream big and achieve their aspirations.
Mann envisioned these schools as modern-day temples of learning, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to nurture talent and drive excellence.
Echoing Mann's sentiments, Kejriwal praised the initiative for bridging the gap between private and government education. He emphasized the transformative impact these schools would have on students' lives, instilling confidence and enabling them to compete on par with their peers from more affluent backgrounds.
Kejriwal commended Mann's proactive approach towards education and urged the citizens to support his endeavours to combat the center's discriminatory policies.
The inauguration ceremony served as a platform for both leaders to advocate for Punjab's rights, condemning the Center's withholding of funds amounting to Rs 8,000 crore. They called for unity and solidarity in the face of adversity, urging the citizens to strengthen Mann's hands by electing AAP representatives in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The Chief Ministers took a round of the newly-constructed building of the school in Indrapuri, engaging in detailed deliberations with students and their parents. Mann reiterated the importance of these Schools of Eminence as transformative agents, breaking down barriers and providing a level playing field for students from diverse backgrounds.
Delving into the details of the initiative, Mann highlighted that the move was part of the ‘Sikhya Kranti’, which originated in Delhi and was now being replicated in Punjab. He outlined various schemes, such as Schools of Happiness and Business Blasters, adopted from Delhi's education model to bring about positive changes in Punjab's education system.
Kejriwal emphasized the uniqueness of the Ludhiana school, asserting that even the most prominent private schools in the city did not boast a swimming pool on their premises. He marveled at the infrastructure, challenging the conventional notion that such facilities were exclusive to private institutions charging exorbitant fees.
Delhi Chief Minister commended Mann's administration for adopting a politics-of-work approach rather than divisive politics, emphasizing the tangible improvements witnessed in schools and hospitals.
In his address, Kejriwal took a swipe at the Union Government for withholding funds, asserting that the funds, amounting to around Rs 8000 crore, could have been used for the state's development. He praised Mann's efforts in the last two years, citing unprecedented work in the state to propel development.
Empower Mann with All 13 Seats to Combat Centre's Bias: Kejriwal
Kejriwal emphasized that Mann, as the Chief Minister of Punjab, has been standing as the guardian of the state's interests. He urged the people to empower Mann by granting all 13 Lok Sabha seats to AAP, enabling him to vigorously oppose the Center's discriminatory stance.
Kejriwal highlighted the significant strides made in Punjab's development over the past two years and underscored the importance of reinforcing Mann's position to confront the challenges posed by the Union government's policies.
