Education and Health in Punjab | Punjab State (PPSC) PSC: Preparation - PPSC PCS (Punjab) PDF Download

Education

Before the partition, education was mainly limited to urban areas. However, after gaining independence in 1947, the State Government focused on expanding education, especially in rural regions. This led to the establishment of numerous schools and a few higher education institutions.

The Green Revolution in Punjab during the late sixties brought significant changes across various fields, including education. It sped up the opening of new educational institutions in both urban and rural areas. The education department, which had moved from Lahore to Shimla in 1947, was relocated back to Chandigarh in 1959.

Currently, Punjab has a robust network of schools and colleges offering education in all streams, accessible in both rural and urban areas. Schools are managed by the State and Central Governments, and there are different types of schools, including government schools, grant-in-aid schools, and self-financed public or private schools.

Primary Education in Punjab

Primary education in Punjab is overseen by the Department of School Education within the Government of Punjab. According to the Economic Survey of 2017-18, the state has 14,242 primary schools and 5,245 middle schools. There have been various initiatives to improve primary education in the region.

• Education is provided free of charge to children aged 6 to 14 years or up to class VIII under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in Punjab.
• The District Education Revitalisation Programme (DERP) was initiated in 1994 with the goal of universalising primary education by reforming and revitalising the existing primary education system.

Secondary and Higher Education in Punjab

According to the Economic Survey of 2017-18, Punjab has a total of 9,475 secondary schools. In terms of higher education, the state is home to 48 government colleges, 136 private-aided colleges, and 11 government universities. To encourage private investment in higher education, the Punjab government introduced the Punjab Private Universities Policy in 2010, facilitating the establishment of self-financed private universities.

Private and Deemed Universities:

• The government has recognized 16 private universities and 3 deemed universities in the state. These institutions aim to provide quality and affordable education, primarily focusing on remote and rural areas.

Some Renowned Universities in Punjab

Panjab University:

• One of the oldest universities in India, located in Chandigarh.
• Established in 1882 and split into two after the 1947 partition, with one part in Indian Punjab and the other in Pakistani Punjab.
• The Indian university was re-established in 1947 and later renamed Panjab University to differentiate it.
• Relocated to Chandigarh in 1956, designed by Pierre Jeanneret under Le Corbusier's guidance.
• Initially had regional centres in Rohtak, Shimla, and Jalandhar, with affiliated colleges in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
• After Punjab's reorganisation in 1966, became an Inter-State Body Corporate serving the new state of Punjab and Chandigarh.
• Offers courses and research in various fields, including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Performing Arts.
• Comprises 78 teaching and research departments, 15 centres/chairs, and 188 affiliated colleges across Punjab.

Punjabi University:

• Located in Patiala, Punjab, and established on June 24, 1962.
• Second university in the world named after a language, following the Hebrew University of Israel.
• Engages in teaching and research across disciplines such as Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Performing Arts.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU):

• Location and Establishment: PAU is situated in Ludhiana, Punjab, and was founded in 1962. It is the third oldest agricultural university in India and has gained international recognition for its excellence in agriculture.
• Contribution to Green Revolution: PAU played a pioneering role in the Green Revolution in India during the 1960s, significantly contributing to increased food grain production. It is regarded as one of the top agricultural universities in Asia.
• Bifurcation and Historical Background: In 2005, PAU was bifurcated to form Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). Originally established to serve the state of Punjab, PAU was divided in 1966 when Haryana Agricultural University was created from PAU. This division was formalized by an Act of Parliament in 1970. Later, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya was established in July 1970.
• Role in Food Production: PAU has been instrumental in boosting food grain production in Punjab, playing a key role in the state’s agricultural development.

Guru Nanak Dev University:

• Establishment and Purpose: Guru Nanak Dev University was founded on November 24, 1969, in Amritsar, Punjab, to commemorate the 500th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
• Objectives: The university aims to provide education and promote research in various fields, including humanities, sciences, technology, and applied sciences. It also focuses on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, promoting the Punjabi language, and educating socially and educationally backward communities.

IK (Inder Kumar) Gujral Punjab Technical University:

• Location and Establishment: IK Gujral Punjab Technical University is located in Jalandhar, Punjab, and was established on January 16, 1997, by an act of the State Legislature.
• Purpose: The university was created to promote technical, management, and pharmaceutical education at the degree level in Punjab.
• Renaming: The university was renamed in honor of the former Prime Minister Late IK Gujral, recognizing his contributions to the development and prosperity of Punjab.
• Initiatives: The university has introduced new initiatives in technical education, focusing on the latest trends in technology and facilitating interactions between students, faculty, and technology leaders in the country.

College of Veterinary Science:

• Establishment and Purpose: The College of Veterinary Science, located in Ludhiana, Punjab, was established on August 9, 2005, as part of Punjab Agricultural University. It was later bifurcated to form Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). The college aims to serve society by promoting livestock production, health, and disease prevention through integrated teaching and extension programs.
• Mission: The mission of the College of Veterinary Science is to train veterinary graduates, scientists, and extension workers to improve livestock health and productivity through disease prevention and enhanced production and reproduction practices.

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL):

• RGNUL is a prestigious National Law University situated in Patiala, Punjab. It was founded in 2006 by the Punjab Government with a focus on legal education. The university, which was initially led by Vice-Chancellor Gurjit Singh, is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the Bar Council of India.

Central University of Punjab:

• Located in Bathinda, the Central University of Punjab was established in 2009. Its mission is to offer a broad range of instructional and research facilities across integrated and interdisciplinary fields. The university aims to foster innovation in teaching, learning, and research while promoting the exchange of new ideas, technologies, and worldviews.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU):

• Also situated in Bathinda, MRSPTU was established by the Government of Punjab on February 12, 2015. The university aims to enhance and promote the quality of technical education, training, and research. It focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and creating a conducive environment for technical education in collaboration with industry.

Technical Education

• The Technical Education Wing of the Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training in Punjab is responsible for managing degree and diploma-level institutions in the state, including management and pharmacy institutions. The department operates under the guidelines of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and oversees the work related to Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, and government-funded engineering colleges.
• The Punjab State Board of Technical Education (PSBTE) and Information Technology (IT) is an autonomous authority established under the Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training Act of 1992. It regulates academic standards in technical education institutes, conducts admissions and examinations in polytechnics and industrial training institutes in Punjab and Chandigarh.

Some Famous Universities in Punjab:

Some Major Educational Schemes in Punjab

Parho Punjab, Parhao Punjab:

• Launched in 2017, this scheme aims to enhance the performance of weak students and provide them with equal opportunities. It also focuses on fostering the creativity of exceptional students and strengthening their capabilities. The initiative involves introducing new techniques, supplementary materials, school planning, curriculum revision, and support activities. Class activities are conducted using easier methods under this approach.

Mukhya Mantri Vigyan Yatra Yojana:

• Initiated on February 18, 2016, this scheme offers free educational trips to Pushpa Gujral Science City in Kapurthala for school students across the state. The aim is to promote scientific awareness among students through these trips.

Dr. Hargobind Khorana Scholarship Scheme:

• Launched on August 1, 2013, this scheme provides scholarships of ₹30,000 per annum to students securing 80% or more marks.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme:

• This scheme was implemented on April 1, 2006, initially providing mid-day meals to students of 1st to 5th class in primary schools for 240 days. In 2008-09, the scheme was extended to upper primary classes (1st to 8th Class).

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:

• Launched in 2000-2001, this programme aims to universalize elementary education through community ownership of the school system. It addresses the demand for quality basic education nationwide, with a funding pattern of 75:25 between the Centre and the State Government. Activities under this programme include providing additional classrooms, constructing toilets, supplying uniforms and textbooks, and offering maintenance and school grants.

PARVESH (Primary Vidya Sudhar) Project:

• This project aims to enhance the quality of education in Punjab by making learning creative and enjoyable. It adopts the Creative Learning Model (CLM) of education, where both teachers and children actively participate as creative and dynamic contributors to the teaching and learning process.

Bhai Jaita Ji (Shaheed Baba Jewan Singh Ji) Scheme:

• The Punjab Government has launched a project aimed at providing free textbooks to all students up to class 8 in government schools. This initiative is also extended to students from backward classes and economically weaker sections. The primary objective of the scheme is to make elementary education completely free.

Scheme for Opening New Schools:

• To address the poor state of education in Punjab, the government has introduced a scheme offering free land and ₹2.5 crore as capital investment to private entities willing to open new schools. Additionally, Model Schools with English medium instruction, affiliated to CBSE and following the Kendriya Vidyalaya pattern, have been established in 21 educationally backward blocks across 7 districts. The government is also collaborating with the private sector to set up 128 Adarsh schools, one in each Assembly constituency.

Universalisation of Secondary Education under RMSA:

• Launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) under the National Skill Qualification Framework, this scheme aims to ensure universal access to secondary education. It focuses on removing barriers related to gender, socio-economic status, disability, and other factors that might hinder a child’s access to quality secondary education. The initiative also seeks to enhance the overall quality of secondary education, promoting better intellectual, social, and cultural learning. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, 318 schools were upgraded from middle to high under this scheme.

Residential Meritorious Schools:

• The Punjab Government has established six Meritorious Schools in cities including Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Mohali. These schools, managed by the Society for Promotion of Quality Education for Poor and Meritorious Students, are intended for students from government schools who have achieved over 80% marks in Matriculation. The residential schools, affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), cater to students in 11th and 12th grades, providing free education along with lodging, boarding, books, stationery, and uniforms.

Initiatives for Girl's Education in Punjab

Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme:

• Launched in 2011 by Prakash Singh Badal, this scheme aims to encourage girls to continue their studies even if schools are far from home. Under this initiative, free bicycles are provided to girl students in classes 9 to 12.

Bebe Nanki Ladli Beti Kalyan Scheme:

• This scheme was introduced by the state government to combat female foeticide and ensure quality education for girls. It offers financial assistance to families with a yearly income of less than ₹30,000, covering education costs for girls up to class 12. Families with girls born after January 1, 2011, are eligible for this support.

Attendance Scholarship for Handicapped Girl Students in Rural Areas:

• To uplift disabled girls in rural areas and promote self-reliance, attendance scholarships are provided to handicapped girl students. These scholarships help cover partial costs for uniforms, books, and other educational expenses.

Free Education for Girls:

• This scheme offers free education to girls in classes 9 to 12 and provides attendance scholarships to primary girl students. It aims to ensure that girls have access to quality education without financial burdens.

Objectives of the Government to Promote Education

The Government of Punjab is making extensive efforts to enhance education in the state. The primary focus areas for the education sector are as follows:

• To improve the quality of school education.
• To achieve a 100 per cent Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER).
• To ensure 100 per cent Net Enrollment Ratio (NER), Zero Dropout Rate, and 100 per cent Retention Rate.
• To implement the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act effectively.

Literacy Rate in Punjab

Punjab has shown remarkable improvement in its literacy rate over the past twenty years, surpassing the national average. According to the 2011 Census, Punjab's literacy rate stands at 75.84%, with a male literacy rate of 80.44% and a female literacy rate of 70.73%. This places Punjab 15th among Indian states in terms of literacy.

The district with the highest literacy rate in Punjab is Hoshiarpur at 84.6%, while Mansa district has the lowest literacy rate at 61.8%.

District-wise Literacy Rate in Punjab (Census 2011):

• Pathankot: 83.8%
• Ropar: 82.5%
• Gurdaspur: 78.0%
• Nawanshahr: 79.8%
• Fatehgarh: 79.4%
• Moga: 76.3%
• Firozpur: 75.3%
• Fazilka: 68.9%
• Tarn Taran: 68.3%
• Barnala: 68.0%
• Mansa: 67.8%

Health Scenario in Punjab

The State Government is prioritizing the improvement of health infrastructure by focusing on building new facilities, purchasing equipment, and recruiting necessary staff. The Government of India’s 4th Common Review Mission Report has rated Punjab’s health infrastructure as excellent, placing it in the top position nationally. This infrastructure includes various systems of medicine such as allopathy, ayurvedic, unani, and homeopathic.

According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, Punjab’s health infrastructure consists of:

• 98 hospitals
• 151 community health centres
• 1409 dispensaries
• 495 Primary Health Centres (PHCs)

Additionally, Punjab has 529 Ayurvedic and Unani institutions and 111 Homeopathic institutions. To enhance medical services, the Punjab Government has launched the 104 medical helpline, which offers 24/7 medical advice, grievance redressal, and counseling for patients with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, STI/RTI, drug addiction, depression, and for pregnant mothers and children needing antenatal and postnatal care. In the State Budget 2018-19, the government announced a 13 percent increase in health sector funding and introduced a cancer fund with a budget of ₹30 crore.

Department of Health and Family Welfare

The Department of Health and Family Welfare is dedicated to offering high-quality preventive, promotive, and curative health services at affordable prices to the people of the state. To achieve this, a comprehensive network of health institutions, including hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Subsidiary Health Centres/Dispensaries, has been established to meet the health needs of both rural and urban populations. These facilities are staffed by well-trained medical and paramedical personnel. A healthy community is essential for the overall progress of the state.

The objective of the Department of Health and Family Welfare is to ensure accessible, affordable, accountable, effective, and reliable healthcare, with a particular focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in rural areas.

Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC):

• The Punjab Health System Corporation was established through a Special Act of Legislation to create a corporation responsible for the establishment, expansion, improvement, and administration of medical care in Punjab. It operates as a fully autonomous and self-sufficient health and family welfare organization within the state. The PHSC oversees 214 health institutions, including 22 District Hospitals, 41 Sub-divisional Hospitals, and 151 Community Health Centres. These facilities offer a wide range of healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, and curative care.

Homeopathic Department of Punjab:

• Currently, there are 107 Government Homeopathic Dispensaries in Punjab, where patients receive free medications. Free medicines are also provided to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, government employees, pensioners, and past and present members of the Legislative Assembly. The number of patients seeking homeopathic treatment is steadily increasing, as people are satisfied with the homeopathic medicines, which are known for having no side effects.

Overview of Health Schemes in Punjab:

• Punjab has implemented several significant health schemes aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants. These schemes focus on promoting institutional deliveries, breastfeeding practices, and providing cash incentives for healthcare services.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana:

• Launched on January 1, 2017, this centrally sponsored scheme aims to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants.
• It provides financial support to eligible beneficiaries to ensure proper nutrition and healthcare during pregnancy and after childbirth.

MAA Programme:

• Initiated in October 2016, the MAA Programme (Mother's Absolute Affection) aims to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding practices.
• The program focuses on enhancing early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and child feeding practices through health system interventions.

Mata Kaushalya Kalyan Scheme:

• Under this scheme, the state government provides an incentive of ₹1000 to women who choose to deliver their babies in government health facilities.
• Launched in 2011, the scheme encourages institutional deliveries, contributing to the safety of mothers and infants.
• Additionally, pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families receive cash incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana, a part of the National Rural Health Mission.

Bhagat Puran Singh Bima Yojna:

• This scheme offers cashless medical treatment through smart cards to various vulnerable groups, including Blue Card holder families, marginal farming families, small traders, and construction workers.
• It provides annual coverage of ₹50,000 per family and ₹5 lakh for accidental death and complete disability for the head of the family.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP):

• The IDSP has been implemented in Punjab to facilitate early reporting of communicable diseases, outbreak identification, and timely response.
• The state has established a network of State and District Surveillance Units, along with identified reporting units in sub-centres, medical institutions, and laboratories for effective disease surveillance.

Universal Health Insurance Scheme:

• The state government has introduced a restructured Universal Health Insurance Scheme aimed at covering all citizens of the state. The key objectives of this policy include:
• Providing cost-effective health services to all citizens.
• Ensuring universal cashless treatment.
• Empaneling more government medical colleges and hospitals to reduce the high cost of treatment at private hospitals.
• Initially covering Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under the policy, with plans to extend coverage to all residents of the state later.

Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh:

• This is a cashless scheme that provides financial assistance of up to ₹1.50 lakh to each cancer patient for their treatment. All cancer patients who are residents of Punjab are eligible for this assistance under the scheme.

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram:

• This new initiative focuses on the early identification and intervention for children from birth to 18 years of age, covering four key areas: Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, and Development Delays including disabilities for a total of 30 diseases.
• Children will be screened twice a year in Anganwadi centres, Government, and Government-Aided schools by Mobile Health Teams. If a child is diagnosed with a disease, they will receive free treatment, including at medical colleges and private empanelled hospitals.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA):

• Under PMSMA, a minimum package of antenatal care services is provided to beneficiaries on the 9th day of every month at health facility centres. The aim is to ensure that every pregnant woman receives at least one check-up by a gynaecologist or medical officer during the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy.
• During April-November 2017, PMSMA camps were conducted in all districts, screening 89,277 pregnant women. Volunteer private doctors also contributed by examining pregnant women in these camps.

Punjab State AIDS Control Society

The Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS) was established in 1998 to implement the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), which is fully funded by the central government. PSACS began its operations in 1999, with the Principal Secretary of Health as its Chairman and the Secretary of Health serving as the Project Director.

Currently, the state is working under NACP IV, which was launched in 2013. This phase aims to build on previous achievements, accelerate progress in reversing the epidemic, and strengthen the overall response to HIV/AIDS. The key strategies of NACP IV include:

• Intensifying and consolidating prevention services, particularly for high-risk and vulnerable populations.
• Increasing access to and promoting comprehensive care, support, and treatment.
• Strengthening institutional capacities.

NACP IV also focuses on documenting, managing, and disseminating evidence, as well as effectively utilizing programmatic and research data.

The Punjab State Board for De-addiction and Rehabilitation

Overview

• The Punjab State Board for De-addiction and Rehabilitation has been formed to address the issues of drug addiction and rehabilitation in the state.
• It is chaired by the Chief Minister and includes esteemed medical professionals and representatives from civil society.

District-Level Societies:

• In each district, a Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Society has been set up under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner.
• These societies are responsible for overseeing and implementing drug de-addiction and rehabilitation efforts at the district level.

Rehabilitation and De-addiction Centres:

• The state government has established Primary Rural Rehabilitation and Drug De-addiction Centres to provide support and treatment for individuals struggling with addiction.
• These centres aim to offer comprehensive care and assistance to promote recovery and rehabilitation.