The Punjab State government has well determined set of rules for providing education. Education Department of Punjab Government practices these rules mention under Education Policy of the state. The Government of Punjab has recently announced its new Education Policy. Some of the salient features of this new policy are as under:

• The government has taken attempt to increase the literacy rate further, the Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan’ taken into practice so as to cover all children of State by 2003. The government has allocated 1100 crore under the Sarav Shikhshya Abhiyan in the next 10 years.


• Earlier, English was taught from class 6 onwards, now it’s taught from class 3 onwards. Instructions for science subjects and computers are provided in English.


• To increase the attendance the government has made arrangements for mid day meal.


• Primary and middle schools are merged into one system, similarly high and secondary schools are merged together. The earlier four-tier system— primary, middle, high and secondary schools have converted into two ties systems.

• The government has decided to hand over the primary school administration under panchyats.



• The government has the number of schools, which a District Education Officer would inspect on regular basis.

Affiliation of Schools

The Punjab School Education board is the responsible authority for providing affiliation to all government schools in Punjab. The private schools are free to have affiliation from Punjab School Education Board or Central Board of Secondary Education or ICSE after obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the Department of Education, Government of Punjab for VI to XII class. The Department of Education Punjab Government is administering authority for conduct of class 5th examination in the state.

Encouragement to Private Sector in School Education

Private industry players are encouraged by Punjab government to become education provider by setting up educational institutions. Lucrative chances and benefits are offered to private industry players. 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 village level. Government also proposes to have at least one Senior Secondary School for boys and girls at each block Head Quarter, to provide education in all subject areas i.e. Humanities, Science, Commerce and Vocational groups.

Integration of Elementary Education

For children 6 – 14 years of age education is provided for free. To attain the integration of primary education the government is making strides to achieve the retention of children in schools and augment the enrollment by opening new primary schools.

Adarsh Schools

Punjab School Education Board is managing nine Adarsh Schools as a pilot project for providing quality education to the students belonging to the rural areas of the State. Depending upon the success of these Adarsh School more will be opened up in future.

Vocational Education

Vocational subjects prepare students for the work place in class 11th and 12th. There are about 345 schools involved in providing vocational education. Following is the List of Vocational Courses / Trades going on at +2 stage for the state of Punjab:

Agriculture Group	Agri-business, Horticulture, Repair & Maintenance Operator, Power-drive Farm Machinery
Commerce Group	Office Secretary-ship, Accountancy, Auditing
Home Science Group	Food Preservation, Textile Craft (Weaving), Commercial Garments Designing & Making, Knitting Technology, Textile Designing
Engineering Group	Maintenance and Repair of Electrical Domestic Appliances, Repair & Maintenance of Radio & TV, Mechanical Servicing (General), Mechanical Servicing (Auto), Engineering Drawing and Drafting
General Group	Computer Techniques, Furniture Making & Designing, Manufacturing Leather goods, Manufacturing Sports Goods, Commercial Art

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