With the distribution of 44,015 smart phones marking the culmination of the first phase of the ‘Punjab Smart Connect Scheme’, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday fulfilled his Government’s promise to give 1,74,015 smart phones to all Class XII students of the state’s Government Schools by the end of the year.
Capt Amarinder, at a virtual event to mark the occasion, said that the State Government’s unique initiative would be instrumental in facilitating seamless e-learning in government schools, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, 1.30 lakh smart phones had been given to students of Class XII.
The Chief Minister also promised to give 1428 smart phones soon to Class XII students who had taken admission after the announcement of the scheme, thus taking the total number to 1,75,443 — including 88,059 boys and 87,284 girls — of 1,946 senior secondary schools, at a cost of Rs 87.84 crore.
The event witnessed simultaneous distribution of phones at 1101 schools on Thursday by various Ministers, MLAs, and other dignitaries across the state.
Describing the year 2020 as an unprecedented and difficult year for humanity, the Chief Minister said that he was sure Punjab and Punjabis would triumph. He exhorted teachers and students to work hard with utmost dedication to ensure the best results in the Board exams in the country.