The North News
Chandigarh, March 15
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has praised the role of teachers and school principals trained abroad as key drivers of the state’s education reform. Addressing educators in Chandigarh before sending a fresh batch of 72 teachers to Finland for training, Mann said such initiatives were transforming Punjab’s education system for the benefit of ordinary people.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) push for education, healthcare, and power as central to political discourse, crediting party leader Arvind Kejriwal for prioritizing these sectors. “Previously, no political party paid serious attention to these crucial areas, which are essential to people’s daily lives,” he said.
Since taking office, the Punjab government has sent 234 principals and education officers to Singapore for leadership training, while 72 primary teachers have been sent to Turku, Finland. Additionally, three groups totaling 152 headmasters and education officers have undergone training at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad.
Mann emphasized that these overseas programs introduce teachers to modern pedagogical methods, which they bring back to their schools, benefitting both students and fellow educators. “This initiative is revitalizing Punjab’s education system by ensuring high-quality learning,” he said.
The government selects teachers for international training based on merit, with each nominee requiring recommendations from at least 10 of their students. “We are committed to fairness and transparency so that only the most deserving candidates receive this opportunity,” Mann added.
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and other officials were present at the event.
