Chandigarh: In a major step towards transforming public education and bridging the gap between aspiration and opportunity, the Punjab government is set to roll out its ambitious School Mentorship Programme on Tuesday. The initiative will see 80 senior IAS, IPS, PCS, and PPS officers formally adopting government schools to mentor students and provide regular career guidance.
Education Secretary Anindita Mitra confirmed that all 80 officers on the final list have been issued official letters of engagement, marking the start of what the government envisions as a long-term, transformative effort in public education.
“This programme is designed to inspire and motivate our government school students by connecting them with senior officers who can act as role models and mentors,” said Mitra. “Officers are encouraged to maintain continuity and engage with their adopted schools for a minimum of five years.”
Under the initiative, officers are expected to visit their schools at least once a month, with ongoing engagement through remote communication also encouraged. The mentorship role is strictly non-administrative, aimed at providing strategic support, encouragement, and constructive feedback – without interfering in daily school operations.
Key Officers and Their Adopted Schools:
- Jyoti Yadav, SSP Khanna and wife of Education Minister Harjot Bains, has adopted the School of Eminence, Nangal in Roopnagar district—the couple’s home district.
- Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, has taken on the School of Eminence, Dholewal, in Ludhiana.
- Sakshi Sawhney, Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, will mentor the School of Eminence, Khanna.
- Ajay Gandhi, SSP Moga, has adopted the School of Eminence, Landeke in Moga district.
- Kamal Kishor Yadav, former Education Secretary, has committed to mentoring the School of Eminence in Nakodar.
The initiative aims to foster a “culture of aspiration, dreams, and high performance” in Punjab’s government schools by connecting students with accomplished officers who can guide them through academic and career decisions.
The government hopes this programme will become a model of how civil servants can directly contribute to societal upliftment beyond their administrative duties. All mentorship activities will be considered part of the officers’ official responsibilities, further institutionalizing the programme’s importance.
With its launch scheduled for Tuesday, the School Mentorship Programme promises to be a powerful step toward nurturing ambition and unlocking the potential of thousands of students across Punjab.
