The Punjab government has come out with a maverick plan to turn bureaucrats into school guides. The government approved the proposal on Thursday to implement this scheme, called the mentorship programme. Under this programme, IAS, IFS, IRS, and IPS officers are supposed to adopt government schools and guide their students for excelling in life. This pilot project is to be introduced in 80 schools of eminence with 80 officers being allotted a school each for a period of five years. The transfer of these officers also will not alter their responsibility of coaching students of their adopted schools.
It was decided in a Cabinet meeting chaired by none other than the state Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself.
According to a statement released by the government, these officers will work as mentors, not as bosses and will prepare the students for competitive exams. Besides, they have to train the teachers for upgrading their skills as well. These officers are believed to act as a catalyst for mustering resources for development of these schools. The government source said this work will be voluntary service in addition to the allocated duties of these officers.
While briefing the media, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the officers will have to keep visiting the schools once in a week or a month, share their experience with the students and have a bond of love with them. They will also be allowed to interact with the students through video-conferencing .
