AAP budget for FY25 lines up multiple missions for quality education in Punjab

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema

Some 100 government schools in Punjab are set to be transformed into 'schools of brilliance' with the Aam Aadmi Party regime parking Rs 10 crore for giving a facelift to the education sector in the state in fiscal 2024-25.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema made the announcement in his budget speech in the Assembly on March 5. He said the scheme aims to elevate the education quality and transform these rural schools into schools of learning from class 6 to 12.

He tabled the state budget with an outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore, out of which Rs 13,784 crore has been earmarked for the agriculture sector and Rs 16,987 crore for the education sector.

Cheema also proposed that the Punjab government will set up 'School of Applied Learning' with an allocation of Rs 10 crore for the FY25. Under this programme, the government plans to develop technical skills among students to enable them to earn a livelihood. "In the first-phase, high-tech vocational labs would be built in 40 schools," he said.

The AAP government has also proposed to transform 100 primary government schools in 'Schools of Happiness' under which the focus would be on providing well-ventilated classrooms, dedicated play areas and activity corners to students aged 3 to 11 years. To start this school, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for 2024-25.

The Punjab budget was tabled a day after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party tabled the state budget for Delhi. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi tabled Rs 76,000-crore budget on March 4, and stressed on the government’s commitment to the principles of 'Ram Rajya'.

In Delhi, the AAP government has allocated Rs 16,396 crore for the education sector. The announcement made by the Kerjiwal-led party also has a strong focus on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The AAP has decided to go it alone to the polls and contest from all the seats in Punjab.