INTRODUCTION
Punjab holds a long history of education with strong colonial heritage. Education was limited for the upper class of society and was prevented in urban areas only. The post-independence state government paid special attention towards the spread of education in rural areas where the majority of the population lived.
DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION OF PUNJAB :-
- EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT :- During 1947 large numbers of schools and colleges were opened in Punjab. In 1959 Panjab University was shifted to Chandigarh. Later more Universities like Patiala, Punjabi and Kurukshetra University were opened. The office of the Education department was shifted to Chandigarh in 1956 from Shimla. Government provided liberal finances to open more Educational centres which led to the expansion of education.
- DEVELOPMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN PUNJAB :- The most important stage of education is elementary education which establishes the foundation of personality and skills and enhances the communication skills. As per 93rd amendment act new clauses were added to make elementary education. A fundamental right. The number of primary schools saw a huge growth in the state from 7258 in 1971 to 14160 in 2009. After elementary education, secondary education is also important in which children choose their fields of interest. The number of high schools went from 1071 in 1971 to 2749 in 2009. There was visible expansion of secondary education in Punjab.
- GROWTH OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES :- Technical and Medical Universities were opened which began the process of new Technical institutions in Punjab. Punjab holds majority of Engineering colleges and Universities for Engineering seekers. New institutes such as Punjab Technical University in Jalandhar in 1997, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University at Ludhiana in 2006, Baba Farid University of Health and Sciences at Faridkot in 1998 were some great steps taken to empower higher education.
- GROWTH OF VOCATIONAL CENTRES :- The major goal of vocational centres was to enhance the skills of students at lower level. The number of Elementary Teachers Training and Junior Basic Training institutes has increased from 7 in 1971 to 17 in 2009. There was significant growth in educational institutions who provided vocational training for different occupations.
- PRESENT EDUCATIONAL SCENARIO :- Currently there are four directorates of education dealing with primary, secondary and higher education in Punjab. Different categories of schools such as Government, grant Aided, and private schools existed in Punjab. Government and private Universities are developed such as Panjab University Chandigarh, Punjab Technical University Jalandhar, Rajiv Gandhi National law University Patiala, Punjabi University Patiala etc are all state Universities, while there is one Central university at Bhatinda, three deemed University and five Private University such as Lovely Professional University at Jalandhar which built strong network of education in both rural and urban areas.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it is clear that Punjab saw a huge growth in the educational sector during the post-independence period. The literacy rate and growth in the educational sector saw tremendous development. Technical education also expanded with time. State played a great role in improving the standard of education and enlarging the literacy level.
BOOK REFERENCE ( CLICK TO BUY )
The Sikhs of the Punjab (The New Cambridge History of India)