The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, June 6
In a significant stride towards academic excellence by ensuring world-class standards education in the state, the Punjab Government has set an ambitious target to double the number of government school students securing admissions to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the coming session, said Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
The move comes after 44 government school students successfully cleared the highly competitive JEE (Advanced) examination this year.
While addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan here on Thursday, S. Harjot Singh Bains credited the success to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s all out efforts to empower government school students to crack competitive exams like JEE and NEET through the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) program, which was launched in November 2023. The PACE provides free coaching, including live online classes, doubt-clearing sessions, mock tests, and residential camp coaching. This initiative has bridged the financial gap by enabling government school students from humble backgrounds to compete with private school peers.
The Education Minister noted that the high cost incurred on preparing for exams like JEE and NEET—often amounting to lakhs of rupees— has long been a hurdle for students from economically weaker backgrounds. The PACE program has effectively addressed this issue, ensuring that no meritorious student is deprived of opportunities due to financial constraints.
“PACE is more than just a coaching program – it’s a movement that unlocks the potential of students from rural areas, small towns and underprivileged backgrounds, proving that with the right support, talent can thrive anywhere,” said S. Harjot Singh Bains, highlighting the initiative’s impact. He added that these efforts have already yielded impressive results, with 44 students successfully cracking the challenging JEE (Advanced) exam.
“This is an education revolution. We’re not just focusing on a few big cities like Mohali, Ludhiana, or Jalandhar; our aim is to empower students across the state, providing them with the best possible opportunities to succeed. We plan to expand the program to reach more students, offering them the necessary support to achieve their goals. Additionally, we’ll be placing special emphasis on mentorship and guidance to help students make informed decisions about their careers”, he emphasised.
Harjot Bains Plants Mango Sapling on World Environment Day
Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains planted a Mango sapling at Punjab Bhawan here to mark the World Environment Day on Thursday.
Appealing to the public to plant as many saplings as possible to protect the environment, he highlighted the state’s efforts, stating that over 96,000 saplings have been planted in government schools this month, accompanied by the installation of thousands of tree guards. This initiative is part of the Punjab government’s broader efforts to increase green cover and promote environmental conservation.
