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For the preservation, promotion of Punjabi language and culture and to accord the language its due status in the country, this ordinance will be implemented soon in the state.
Dr Upinderjit Kaur, education and languages minister, Punjab, told The Tribune that this bold step had to be taken as present generations were going away from their rich culture and tradition. "It is unfortunate that people settled abroad are keen to adopt and preserve the rich heritage of Punjab, while our own generations here feel inferior while using their mother-tongue. I am sure our future generations will be indebted to Parkash Singh Badal for initiating this step," she said.
Dr Upinderjit Kaur was in the city today to receive the Baba Farid Award. Accompanied by Hira Singh Gabria, minister for jails and cultural affairs, she made it clear that all orders issued by the state government would be in Punjabi. "Action will be taken against officials using other language than Punjabi," stressed both ministers.
On asked why the Badal government wanted all Adarsh Schools in the state to be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and not with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), Dr Upinderjit Kaur said the students often faced problems while getting admissions in other states.
"There will be no problem if they will be from the CBSE. We are in touch with CBSE officials to make Punjabi language compulsory till class X in all Adarsh schools", informed the minister.
The state government is encouraging the participation of the private sector for providing good quality education to students. By providing land at cheaper rates along with other facilities, the Punjab government has proposed to set up a chain of Adarsh Schools, at least one in each block for providing high-quality education even at the village level. The government also proposed to have at least one Senior Secondary School for boys and girls at each block headquarters to provide education in streams like humanities, science, commerce and vocational groups.
Dr Upinderjit Kaur further added that the state government wanted to revamp the whole education system. She said 14,000 vacancies of government school teachers and 3,000 vacancies of computer teachers would be filled after the panchayat elections. "We will hand over the appointment letters after the elections", she added.