Harjot Bains Orders DEOs to Spend Two Hours in Field to Improve Schools’ Efficacy
• DEOs’ performance to be reviewed on a monthly basis, says Education Minister
• Reviews Schools of Eminence project, enrolment drive, and student coaching performance
Chandigarh, March 10, 2025:
To further enhance the efficacy of state government schools and ensure world-class standard education, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday directed all District Education Officers (DEOs - Elementary and Secondary) to spend the first two hours of their day—from 9 am to 11 am—in the field. He also instructed them to prepare data-driven, district-specific action plans with measurable outcomes. The performance of all DEOs will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
These directions were issued during a full-day marathon review meeting with the DEOs held at MGSIPA. The Education Minister emphasized the on-ground implementation of programs related to the Schools of Eminence (SOEs), enrolment drives, and student coaching initiatives launched by the state government.
Highlighting the importance of education as the cornerstone of Punjab’s future, Harjot Singh Bains stated that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has accorded top priority to the education sector. He reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the state’s education system.
The Education Minister directed the DEOs to expedite the development of Schools of Eminence (SOEs) with immediate focus on completing infrastructure, increasing enrolment, filling vacant staff positions, and strengthening student coaching programs for competitive examinations like JEE. He stressed the need for regular assessment of performance outcomes and necessary interventions.
Harjot Singh Bains also instructed officials to accelerate the implementation of Mission Samrath, with clear targets for improving foundational literacy and numeracy at the district level, especially for students in Grades 3 to 8. He emphasized ensuring minimum infrastructure standards in all schools, prioritizing functional and separate toilets for girls and boys, safe drinking water facilities, dual desks, and boundary walls.
The Education Minister called for an intensive enrolment drive to increase admissions at primary, upper primary, secondary, and senior secondary levels through targeted outreach programs. He directed officials to complete all pending infrastructure works under NABARD and Samagra Shiksha within stipulated timelines and resolve bottlenecks immediately.
Harjot Singh Bains reiterated that education remains the government’s top priority and assured that all necessary resources will be mobilized to achieve the targets set for the sector.
The meeting was attended by Secretary School Education Anindita Mitra, Director General School Education Vinay Bublani, Special Secretary Rajesh Dhiman, and other senior officials of the department.