Edu Dept announces best schools of 2023-24

In an attempt to motivate government schools in the state to perform better, the Education Department recently announced the best schools in each district for the year 2023-24. A total of 23 schools in each category that fulfilled all the parameters mentioned by the department, starting from primary to middle and high to senior secondary, were in the running for the best school award.

The schools that were declared winners in the district were Government Senior Secondary School, Machhiwara; Government High School, Birmi (Sidhwan Bet-II); Government Middle School, Chuharpur; and Government Primary Smart School, Jandiali. The winners were presented cash prices, worth Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7.5 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh, respectively.

Talking to The Tribune, District Education Officer (Primary) Ravinder Kaur said the department had kept several parameters for schools to be adjudged on in order to be eligible to claim the award. Some of these parameters included the academic results of the school, the availability of teachers, infrastructure, extra-curricular activities, attendance of students, increase in enrolment, contributions/donations for any cause etc.

The schools were asked to give presentations in front of a jury, comprising officials of the Education Department, following which a visit was organised to the campuses to check the claims.

“Five entries were received for each category initially, and then points were awarded to each school based on their performance with respect to each parameter. After this, the top schools were shortlisted and the list was sent to the department, following which the winners were chosen,” said the DEO.

The head teacher of Government Primary Smart School, Jandiali, Narinder Singh, said such encouragement provided a boost to staff and students to perform even better. The awarded funds would further be used in the betterment of the schools.