100 Bureaucrats Join Punjab’s School Mentorship Program Within 3 Days
Punjab’s Revolutionary School Mentorship Program Gets Overwhelming Response: 100 Bureaucrats Enrol in 3 Days
Chandigarh, April 8, 2025 – In a powerful move towards transforming public education in Punjab, the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s “School Mentorship Program” has seen a phenomenal response, with 100 top-tier bureaucrats—including IAS, IPS, and PCS officers—signing up as mentors within just three days of its official launch.
The initiative, which kicked off on April 4, 2025, aims to bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity for students in government schools by bringing them into direct mentorship with India’s top civil servants.
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative
Announced by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, the School Mentorship Program is the first of its kind in the country, designed to connect public school students—especially those in underprivileged, remote, and border regions—with role models from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other key departments.
“The response has been overwhelming and inspiring. Our officers are stepping forward to guide students in Punjab’s most underserved regions,” said Bains during a press briefing at Punjab Bhawan.
Who Has Enrolled?
A detailed analysis of the first 100 applications reveals:
- 41 IAS officers, including:
- 7 from pre-2005 batches
- 14 from 2005–2015
- 20 from 2016 onwards
- 48 IPS officers, including:
- 9 from pre-2005 batches
- 16 from 2005–2015
- 23 from 2016 onwards
- 3 PCS officers
- 8 officers from other services
More than 50% of the applications came from young officers who joined service between 2015 and 2024, demonstrating strong interest from the next generation of civil servants to give back to society.
Focus on Underserved Regions
Notably, the initiative has also drawn strong participation for mentorship in challenging and border areas such as Pathankot, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur, where students often have limited exposure to career counselling and motivational guidance.
“This mentorship will be truly transformational,” Bains emphasized. “When students in remote schools interact with successful officers, it instills a belief that they too can aim high.”
Key Roles of Mentor Officers
Under this program, mentor officers will:
- Visit assigned schools regularly
- Conduct career counselling sessions
- Facilitate exposure visits and talks
- Support teacher training on innovative pedagogies
- Boost parental participation
- Collaborate on school infrastructure improvements
- Guide students to pursue higher goals
Officers will not only act as motivational figures, but also bring in their professional networks and knowledge to uplift the learning environment in these schools.
Still Open for Enrolment
The application window remains open until April 20, 2025. Interested officers can still volunteer by filling out the official Google Form at: (https://forms.gle/V4kcHjjVfsomdJz9A)
Outstanding mentors will be recognized at state-level education events, the Education Minister added.
Respect for Teachers: Govt Responds to Controversy
During the press interaction, Minister Bains also addressed a controversy involving fellow MLA Chetan Singh Jauramajra’s remarks about teachers during a recent “Sikhya Kranti” event in Patiala.
“We stand by our teachers. They deserve respect and dignity for the crucial role they play in building the future of Punjab,” said Bains, reiterating the government’s unwavering support for the teaching community.
He further stated that the Punjab Government remains committed to creating a supportive and respectful working environment for educators across the state.
Why This Matters
The Punjab School Mentorship Program stands as a model for other states, merging governance with grassroots education. By empowering bureaucrats to act as mentors and guides, the initiative directly addresses the aspirational gap that often exists for students in government schools, especially those in rural or disadvantaged regions.
This initiative also reflects the progressive outlook of the Mann Government, aligning with broader efforts to reform education and improve youth engagement.