Daughters from ordinary families dominated Class VIII merit list, says Punjab CM
Chandigarh, April 12
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Sunday that daughters from ordinary families dominated the Punjab School Education Board's Class VIII merit list by securing 19 of the top 20 positions.
Honouring toppers at his residence here, CM Mann said the top 20 students would be granted direct admission to Schools of Eminence without any entrance test.
The Chief Minister also honoured the top three achievers with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each and urged students to remain grounded, work hard, and choose the right role models.
He said the confidence, discipline and determination displayed by these students reflect the impact of sustained investment in education, adding the government is committed to giving wings to every child's aspirations through modern schools.
Sharing a few snippets from the interaction, CM Mann wrote on X: "Today, in Chandigarh, meritorious students who topped the results of the Punjab School Education Board's Class 8th across the entire state were honoured. On this special occasion, heartfelt congratulations were also extended to their parents and teachers."
The Chief Minister noted, "In this year's results, the first position has been secured by the talented daughter of a 'munim' working at a brick-kiln, while the second and third positions have been achieved with outstanding success by the daughters of a tiles shop owner and a teacher at a government primary school, respectively.
"These results clearly demonstrate that children from ordinary and humble families are now setting new benchmarks in the field of education. Seeing the self-confidence, hard work, and dedication of these children filled us with immense joy and pride."
Interacting with toppers, CM Mann highlighted that for the first time, girls dominated the merit list by securing 19 out of the top 20 positions, calling it a powerful testament to their excellence and determination.
"These students will be granted admission to Class IX in Schools of Eminence without any entrance examination. For the first time, girls have secured 19 out of the top 20 positions, with only one boy at the 20th rank. By achieving all the first 19 positions, girls have once again proven that they are second to none in any field," he said, underscoring the remarkable achievement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see the government recognizing merit. Direct admission to Schools of Eminence is a good incentive. But I hope this focus on toppers doesn't make us forget about improving the overall quality of government schools for every child.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in action! Punjab's girls are making the state proud. This is a tight slap on the face of those who still think girls are a burden. Their hard work is speaking volumes.
As an educator, this is heartwarming. The credit also goes to the parents and teachers who supported these girls. The daughter of a government school teacher coming third shows the value of that profession. Well done all!
This is a positive story, but let's be real. One merit list is a good start, but we need systemic change. Are these 'Schools of Eminence' accessible in rural areas? The investment in education must reach every village.
So much pride! My heart swells reading about these daughters of Punjab. From ordinary families to topping the state. This is the real Punjabiyat. May they continue to shine and become doctors, engineers, and leaders! ✨
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