Punjab, a state in India, faces several educational challenges. Here are some of the key issues
Quality of Education
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Many schools, particularly in rural areas, lack essential facilities like proper classrooms, libraries, and science laboratories.
- Shortage of Qualified Teachers: There is a considerable shortage of well-trained and qualified teachers, resulting in poor teaching quality.
- Outdated Curriculum: The curriculum often does not align with modern needs, lacking focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Access to Education
Gender Disparity
While progress has been made, gender inequality in education persists, with fewer girls completing their education compared to boys.
Dropout Rates
Dropout rates remain high, especially among girls and children from marginalized communities, limiting educational access.
Child Labour
Many children are unable to attend school due to being involved in child labor.
Teacher Training and Development
- Limited Professional Development: Teachers often do not have access to ongoing professional development, which is crucial for maintaining teaching effectiveness.
- Low Salaries: Insufficient teacher salaries contribute to low motivation and retention among educators.
Language Medium
Language
Shift
The growing influence of English in education and business has led to a shift away from Punjabi in some areas.
Cultural
Identity
The dominance of English poses a risk to the preservation of Punjabi language, culture, and heritage.
Debate over Medium of Instruction
There is ongoing debate over whether education should be conducted in English or the local language, impacting
both student outcomes and cultural identity.
Private Education
- Rising Costs: The escalating cost of private education is becoming unaffordable for many families.
- Quality Concerns: Not all private schools provide quality education despite the high fees.
- Addressing these challenges will require Punjab to invest heavily in its education system, improve teacher training, expand access to education for all children, and update the
curriculum to meet modern standards.
To overcome the educational challenges in Punjab, several strategies can be implemented
Rural Education
Rural education improves learning in remote areas despite challenges like limited resources.
Women Empowerment
Women empowerment ensures equal rights and opportunities for women to lead and make independent choices.
Health Care - Charitable Hospital
Charitable hospitals offer free or low-cost healthcare to underserved communities.
Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center
Rehab centers support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through treatment and counseling.
Social Development
Social development enhances community well-being through education, health, & economic growth.
Sustainability
Sustainability balances current needs with future generations’ resources.
Environment
The environment includes all natural elements that support life on Earth.
Please see under what we do the link is as follows
The Kalgidhar Society – Baru Sahib promotes sustainable community transformation through education and women’s empowerment, addressing root causes of social change.
Akal Punjabi Sikhya Program
The “Akal Punjabi Sikhya Program” by Baru Sahib offers online Punjabi language classes completely free of charge. This program is a humble effort to support Punjabi learners worldwide in preserving and embracing their language and culture.