100 bureaucrats to act as mentors in schools

Around 100 bureaucrats, including IAS, IPS and PCS officers, have volunteered to act as mentors under the ‘School Mentorship’ programme.

At present, 80 Schools of Eminence and Meritorious Schools are being offered under the programme.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the government had introduced one-of-its-kind ‘School Mentorship’ programme wherein top bureaucrats would inspire and guide young minds to aim high in life. He said over half of the applicants were young officers, who joined between 2015 and 2024.

Among the 100 applicants, 41 are IAS officers, including seven from pre-2005 batches, 14 from 2005 to 2015 batches and 20 from 2016 onwards.

Similarly, 48 IPS officers, including nine from pre-2005 batches, 16 from 2005 to 2015 batches and 23 from 2016 onwards have joined the initiative. Further, three PCS and eight officers from other services have also shown interest.

Interestingly, these schools are located near border and in far-flung areas, including Pathankot, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur. The minister said interested officers could fill the ‘Google Form’ by April 20. The mentors would visit and collaborate with their schools and assist students in career counselling, exposure visits, teachers’ training on innovative pedagogies, increasing parental participation, piloting innovative ideas and improving learning environment.

Punjab