Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said that the ‘Punjab Model’ of his government is based on ensuring quality education and employment opportunities for all.
Addressing the gathering here at Guru Nanak Dev University campus after dedicating five chairs in the name of Bhagwan Valmiki ji, Bhai Jaita Ji (Baba Jiwan Singh), Bhagat Kabir Ji, eminent statesman and architect of Indian Constitution Dr. BR Ambdekar and devout Sikh Bhai Makhan Shah Lubaana, he described education as key to good standard of living. He said that until and unless quality education is not imparted to the youth the amelioration of poverty is impossible.
Channi said that the need of the hour is to ensure quality and affordable education to all instead of freebies.
The Chief Minister further said that Punjab is a welfare state and it is the responsibility of government to ensure equal access to quality education and health. He said that the need of the hour is to ensure that poor and meritorious students from all strata of society get a chance to excel in life.
CM Channi said that his government is committed for this objective for providing succour to the common man.
Batting for making necessary amendments in the curriculum, the Chief Minister said that it needs to be fine tuned as per the requirements of existing society. He said to achieve this goal universities are required to play a proactive role. CM Channi said that these institutions are temples of higher learning and therefore the fee structure should be rationalised so as to make education easily accessible to one and all.
Pointing out further, Channi said that his government has already set the wheels in motion to bail out the universities from fiscal crisis.
He said that huge grant has already been given to Punjabi University, Patiala adding that no stone will be left unturned for helping Guru Nanak Dev University too. However, CM Channi asked the university administration to evolve a viable mechanism for reducing fees of the various courses.
He also announced the setting up Sangeet Academy at university campus.
In his address President of Punjab Congress Navjot Singh Sidhu hailed the Chief Minister for setting up these chairs.
He expressed hope that these Chairs will inspire the future generations to stay connected with their glorious and rich heritage. Sidhu said that these chairs are not merely on name but they are institutions in their own.