Punjab Cabinet Approves Key Reforms in Education and Prison Systems
New policies expand parental roles in school management, ensure private school access for economically weaker sections, and address overcrowding in jails through inter-state prisoner transfers.
- The Punjab cabinet amended the Punjab Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011, to align with the national RTE Act, 2009, ensuring 25% reservation for economically weaker sections in private schools.
- The amendment increases parental participation in government school management by expanding School Management Committees from 12 to 16 members, including 12 parents and 4 experts from allied fields.
- This reform aims to improve the quality of education and foster holistic academic development in government schools across Punjab.
- Changes to the Transfer of Prisoner Act, 1950, allow inter-state transfers of undertrial prisoners with mutual state consent and court approval.
- The prisoner transfer amendment is designed to alleviate overcrowding in Punjab's jails, addressing a longstanding systemic issue.
Hindustan Times 
Free Press Journal 
