Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains paid an unannounced visit to Senior Secondary School, Hoshiarpur, on 13 February 2026. He highlighted the deteriorating school infrastructure and instructed officials to take urgent corrective action while emphasising the expansion of the Hunar Shiksha Schools initiative to prepare students for employment.
Minister Inspects School Facilities
During the visit, the Education Minister toured classrooms, corridors, and the school playground. He interacted with both students and teaching staff to understand day-to-day challenges. Upon observing the poor condition of facilities, he directed officials to undertake a complete revamp to improve the learning environment.
Hunar Shiksha Schools Initiative
The Hunar Shiksha Schools initiative aims to integrate practical skill development alongside academic education. Currently piloted in 40 schools across Punjab, the programme trains students from Class 9 onwards, making them job-ready immediately after Class 12. Students enrolled in Hunar Shiksha Schools can choose skill-based courses in healthcare, fashion design, digital design, painting, accounting, and computer education. The initiative provides board-recognised certificates as well as industry-recognised credentials, enabling direct employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.
Focus on Job-Ready Skills
The Education Minister highlighted that true self-confidence stems from practical abilities rather than certificates alone. By promoting courses that combine academic knowledge with industry-aligned skills, Punjab aims to reduce students’ dependency on higher education for job opportunities.
Expansion of Skill-Based Education
Following the success of the pilot phase, the Punjab government plans to expand the Hunar Shiksha Schools initiative to more institutions. Each programme has been designed with input from experts, including collaborations with industry leaders such as Apollo for healthcare courses. Students completing these skill-based programmes gain the flexibility to pursue employment across multiple sectors, encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship while strengthening workforce readiness.