PTM or PR stunt? Punjab govt draws flak over directions to record parents videos on Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana during 'Mega PTMs'
PTC News Desk: The AAP-led Punjab government has received massive backlash over its decision to promote the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana during the Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) scheduled to be held at government schools across Punjab on October 9.
As per the directions issued by the government, schoolteachers have been ordered to record video testimonials from parents about its welfare scheme, “Mawan-Dhiyaan Satkar Yojana,” during a statewide Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM).
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They have been asked to share views of particularly mothers on what the scheme means to them and how are they utilising the financial assistance and whether they have any message for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
A circular issued by the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) asks parents, particularly mothers, to record responses to three specific questions — what the scheme means to them, how they are utilising the financial assistance and whether they have any message for CM Bhagwant Mann.
Under the initiative, the AAP govt transfers monthly direct financial aid of Rs 1,500 to Scheduled Caste women and Rs 1,000 to women from general and other categories.
The directive has since drawn criticism for using the academic institution for political promotion instead of keeping the focus of PTMs on students' academic progress.
Vikramdev Singh, state president, Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) Punjab, accused the administration of turning educational institutions into political propaganda tools.
“Inviting political representatives and promoting government schemes on a PTM day compromises the academic environment and the political neutrality of schools,” Singh said, urging school heads to focus discussions exclusively on student attendance and academic progress.
- PTC NEWS
