A quiet revolution in edu: Hoshiarpur’s school mentorship programme

The “School Mentorship” programme is emerging as a quiet revolution in Punjab’s education landscape — a movement that brings government closer to its youngest citizens, not through schemes or subsidies, but through stories, conversations and human connection. Under the visionary leadership of Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain is setting an inspiring precedent for how governance can empower the next generation.

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In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, DC Jain described the initiative not merely as an educational outreach, but as a vehicle of personal and societal transformation. “This programme is about grooming the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “It’s about making young minds believe they are capable of shaping their communities and the nation.”

The School Mentorship Programme, launched by the state government, connects students of government schools with senior officers from services such as the IAS, IPS, PCS and other allied departments. These officers “adopt” schools, visit them regularly, and engage in meaningful dialogue with students. The idea is simple but powerful — to narrow the aspiration gap that often separates students in public schools from their peers in private institutions.

In classrooms across Hoshiarpur, students who once had only vague ideas of the future are now interacting with real-life role models. These officers share their journeys — stories of struggle, determination, and eventual success — which students not only listen to but absorb with wide-eyed belief. “Many of these children are brilliant,” Jain noted, “but they don’t always have someone to guide or encourage them. That’s where this programme comes in.”

The programme’s activities go far beyond motivational speeches. Students are encouraged to ask questions about careers, academics and life itself. Officers guide them on practical issues such as exam preparation, time management, and handling setbacks. In Hoshiarpur, the district administration is also taking the mentorship to the next level by grouping students according to career interests — civil services, engineering, medicine, defence — and tailoring mentorship accordingly. Officers are returning for follow-up sessions, sharing study material, and facilitating exposure visits or virtual interactions with subject experts.

Implementation in Hoshiarpur has been especially dynamic. Officers from across departments have adopted schools, and a district-level mentorship calendar ensures that engagements are frequent and structured. DC Jain herself has led by example, beginning her visits with the School of Eminence in Garhshankar.