Govt goes all out to promote study of science, maths
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced the establishment of 615 science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) labs in Government Senior Secondary Schools, where Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and robotics will be taught.
He proposed launching the Math Olympiad for Classes 10 and 12, with the top position receiving Rs 1 lakh, the second Rs 51,000, and the third Rs 25,000. Additionally, “brilliant” students from Classes 6 to 12 will be taken on a tour of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, allowing them to gain first-hand experience with advanced technologies.
Expressing concern over the low enrolment of girls in STEM courses, the CM announced the launch of Kalpana Chawla Scholarship Scheme, under which scholarships of up to Rs 1 lakh per annum will be awarded to female students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in science and engineering.
Tuition fees for girls studying BSc courses will be waived in colleges affiliated with government universities. The Haryana State Research Fund, with an initial allocation of Rs 20 crore, will be established to promote research among students and teachers in colleges and universities.
Two engineering institutes—one at Nilokheri, Karnal, and the other at Panniwala Mota, Sirsa—will be upgraded to the Haryana Institute of Technology.
e-libraries & infra
The CM announced the establishment of e-libraries in all 197 Model Sanskriti Schools and 250 PM Shri Schools. Additionally, CCTV cameras will be installed in 1,497 schools, including Sanskriti Schools, PM Shri Schools, and every cluster school.
Following the model of coveted Sanskriti Schools, Saini announced the establishment of a Model Sanskriti College in every district. The number of Model Sanskriti Schools will be increased, ensuring their presence within every 10-km radius across the state. “It will benefit students from blocks, such as Dabwali, Narnaul, Nangal Chaudhary, Siwani, Hisar, Bhattu Kalan, Guhla, and Pehowa,” he said.
A Sanskriti School in each district will be developed as a Centre of Excellence in Sports, while another will be developed as a Centre of Excellence in Skills.
Industry-academia partnerships
Saini has announced that at least 10% of courses will be converted into 'Earn While You Learn' model, with training provided in collaboration with industries. Each student selected under the scheme will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 6,000.
To support student startups, entrepreneurship competitions will be organised in every district, with Rs 1 lakh awarded to selected teams. Medal winners from Haryana at the World Skills Olympics will be granted cash prizes of up to Rs 10 lakh. If they wish to start their own business, the government will provide additional financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh. If they are not interested in entrepreneurship, they will be offered employment as skill trainers in schools, ITIs, polytechnics, and colleges.
Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushal Samman Yojana, 2,000 final-year graduate and postgraduate students will be provided internship opportunities in industries and will receive an honorarium of Rs 10,000 a month.
A total of Rs 17,848.70 crore has been allocated for school education, Rs 3,874.09 crore for higher education, and Rs 574.03 crore for the ITI department for 2025-26. However, education comprises 10.39% of expenditure in 2025-26, compared to 10.94% in the 2024-25 budget estimates.
Reacting to the allocation, Congress leader and former education minister Geeta Bhukkal said, “The government is just changing names. Existing schools have been converted to PM Shri and Sanskriti Model. More than 15,000 vacant posts exist in schools and about 40% vacancies in universities. Education has deteriorated under BJP rule.”
Career counselling
First- and second-class officers of every department will visit a government school every month for career counselling and discussions with students.
