In a significant push towards elevating the standard of school education, Punjab Government is set to send its seventh batch of 36 school principals to Singapore for a five-day advanced training program. The initiative, spearheaded by the Punjab School Education Department, aims to equip school leaders with global best practices and innovative teaching methodologies.
School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday stated that 198 principals and education officers had already undergone training at Singapore’s prestigious Principal Academy under the Leadership Development Programme. The upcoming batch is scheduled to leave for Singapore in March 2025. The training is expected to create a positive ripple effect, enhancing Punjab’s educational landscape by fostering modern pedagogical approaches and leadership skills among educators.
To further institutionalize such international training programs, the Punjab Government has established an ‘International Education Affairs Cell (IEAC)’ within the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) — to facilitate international-level exposure and learning opportunities for teachers, school heads, and education administrators.
The Minister detailed the eligibility criteria for the program, emphasizing that applicants must be under 53 years of age as of January 31, 2025, and possess a valid Indian passport (valid until at least September 2025). Candidates must also have a clean service record with no pending charge sheets, inquiries, or criminal cases. Selection will be merit-based, considering educational qualifications, experience, Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), and awards.
The training in Singapore will immerse participants in a range of workshops, seminars, and hands-on sessions designed to enhance leadership and teaching capabilities. Singapore’s education system, ranked among the world’s best, will serve as a model for Punjab’s principals, allowing them to explore new strategies for classroom engagement, school administration, and student development.
Six Injured as Visitors’ Cart Overturns at Chhatbir Zoo
Mohali: Six visitors were injured on Sunday when a cart carrying three families overturned at Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab’s Mohali. According to the officials, the driver swerved suddenly to avoid hitting children playing on the road, causing the vehicle to lose balance and roll into a shallow ditch in the nearby forest area. However, some eyewitnesses claimed that the driver was distracted on his mobile phone and failed to notice the children in time. The accident led to chaos, with passersby rushing to the scene to help the injured passengers, who fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and ensure stricter safety measures for zoo visitors.