In the small village of Chadial in Hoshiarpur, a burst of creativity is transforming primary education. Three-year-old Jessica, seen clutching a handprint craft fashioned from tree leaves, exudes pride as she declares to her classmates, “I know my mother will be waiting on the doorstep to see what I have got today. Every day, I go home with a new creation.” Her bright smile and confident stride signal more than just youthful exuberance—it marks the dawn of a new era in learning.
A recent overhaul in classroom activities at the local government primary school has parents and educators buzzing with excitement. The transformation is credited to fresh, innovative teaching methods introduced by class teacher Vandana Heer. After returning from a specialized training course at the University of Turku in Finland, Heer has infused her classroom with engaging, activity-based learning techniques that are capturing the imagination of students from Chadial and neighboring villages such as Kheowal and Bains Khurd.
Heer’s training is part of a groundbreaking initiative by the Punjab Government. In September last year, an agreement was inked between the State Council of Educational Research and Training and the University of Turku to enhance primary school pedagogy. The course, sponsored by the state, saw 72 primary education staff members travel to Finland between October 21 and November 8. The diverse team, comprising block education officers, centre head teachers, head teachers, and elementary teacher trainers, embarked on an intensive three-week programme designed to modernize classroom engagement.
Officials are optimistic about the initiative’s impact. Special Secretary (School Education) Churchill Kumar remarked, “The state has over 12,800 primary schools with approximately 40,000 teachers. The initial results of the training are positive.” The expenditure for this first phase reached nearly Rs 2.37 crores, including Rs 70 lakh paid to the host university. With the success of the inaugural training, a second batch—costing around Rs 2.15 crores—departed for Finland last Saturday, reinforcing the commitment to educational reform.
Education Minister Harjot Bains emphasized that the revamped curriculum does not alter the syllabus but instead seeks to enrich the learning experience. “We are making children show more involvement in classroom activities through innovations. The fun component makes children more interested in the learning process,” he explained. Teachers, including Khamano cluster head teacher Navreet Kaur, highlighted the benefits of activity-based learning. “During our training, we were exposed to pedagogy skills that facilitate easier understanding of concepts,” Kaur noted, adding that her methods help children overcome their fear of subjects like English while still preserving the importance of their native language, Punjabi.
The innovative teaching approach has resonated with both parents and teachers. In local WhatsApp groups, daily class activities are evaluated and suggestions are exchanged, indicating a community-wide embrace of the new methods. Kamlesh Kaur, whose daughter Jasleen studies in Class IV at Government Primary School in Khamano Kalan (Ludhiana), shared, “Earlier, she was scared to go to school. Things have changed for the better now. She is always talking about what she will be doing the next day in her classroom.”
Despite the enthusiasm, some educators express concern over persistent challenges. Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, president of the Government Teachers Union, pointed out the significant handicap of teacher shortages. “We have a large number of schools with just one or two teachers for five classes,” he explained, underscoring the need for additional resources to sustain the momentum of these reforms.
Adding historical context to the current wave of change, former Secretary (School Education) Krishan Kumar recalled the earlier “Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab” project implemented during the Amarinder Singh administration. That initiative, which focused extensively on pre-primary education, also demonstrated positive results and paved the way for ongoing efforts to enhance learning environments across Punjab.
As Punjab embarks on this transformative journey, the spirited enthusiasm of young learners like Jessica stands as a testament to the power of innovative teaching. With continuous training, community involvement, and a commitment to overcoming challenges, the future of primary education in the state looks brighter than ever.
