Govt nod for renaming 23 schools after martyrs, athletes

The state government has approved the process of renaming 25 schools in the state after martyrs, freedom fighters and internationally acclaimed athletes. Education Minister Harjot Bains announced that the renaming of 25 schools in Punjab in honour of freedom fighters, Ghadarites, martyred soldiers and athletes will create awareness among the students regarding their history and legacy.

Of these 25, two schools in Amritsar will be renamed and the notification in this regard is yet to be received by the District Education Office, said DEO Kanwaljit Singh. The School Education Department Secretary issued a notification to rename schools in Patiala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Pathankot, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Amritsar, Malerkotla, Fazilka, Barnala and Bathinda districts.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday had announced that a school at Beas Pind in Jalandhar district would be renamed after marathoner Fauja Singh.

Previously, six government schools in the district were renamed, including Government High School, Khataraye Kalan, Amritsar, which was renamed Ujagar Singh Khataraye Kalan Government High School, after the farmer leader and freedom fighter.

Last year, the AAP-led state government had given the nod to renaming 115 government schools. While announcing the renaming, Bains said the government has also decided to display pictures and life histories of these notable personalities in the schools named after them to create awareness regarding their life, contributions, besides inspiring students. The renaming of government schools by the state government began in 2023 when Government High School at Khatkar Kalan village was renamed Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Government High School.