Punjab’s PACE Winter Camps nurturing academic excellence and competitive spirit
Punjab’s PACE Winter Camps nurturing academic excellence and competitive spirit
Camps empowering students through intensive coaching for IIT-JEE and NEET
Parents and educators unite for student success
Chandigarh, December 17:
Punjab School Education Department has launched an ambitious residential winter camp in the Residential Meritorious Schools at Mohali, Jalandhar and Bathinda under the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE). This camp focuses on Grade 11 and 12 students aspiring to qualify for competitive examinations like IIT-JEE and NEET. With in total of 1200 students from Schools of Eminence (SOE) participating, the PACE camps are designed to provide intensive coaching and support, thereby improving their chances of success in these professional exams.
Divulging further details, an official of the department said that the month-long winter camp, being held at Senior Secondary Residential School For Meritorious Students (RSMS) Mohali, Jalandhar and Bathinda is structured to offer additional focus hours, coaching and resources beyond the regular PACE classes. This initiative underscores Punjab’s commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for competitive futures.
He said that as part of the camp’s quality assurance and community involvement, parents & School Management Committee (SMC) members from all Schools of Eminence, across districts were invited to observe the camp facilities and operations. The camp was visited by Mr. Paramjit Singh, Director School Education (Secondary), Mrs. Balwinder Kaur, Assistant Director SOE, to foresee the facilities and interacted with teachers and parents. The District Education Officer (Secondary) Dr. Ginny Duggal and RSMS School Principal Mrs. Ritu Sharma addressed the parents, gave them a school tour and interacted with them. The visit includes three main activities such as classroom observation, school rounds and student interactions. During the classroom observations, parents silently monitored the sessions, focusing on the quality of classroom teaching and student participation. Suggestions were also invited from SMC members and some volunteered to support the camp in various ways, standing with the teachers on this important day for the school.
During the school rounds, SMC members observed various arrangements, including the cleanliness and organization of the dining area, hostel conditions, and the safety protocols in place. They heard from wardens about student routines and reviewed the overall hygiene and maintenance of the hostel facilities. Parents also visited the medical room to speak with the on-duty medical team.
Parents also took the opportunity to speak with students during breaks to gauge their well-being and discuss their career aspirations. These interactions provided valuable insights into the students’ experiences and the impact of the camp on their academic and personal growth, he added.
Municipal Councillor of Phase-3B1 Mr. Jaspreet Singh Gill, who visited the camp shared, “I applaud the state government’s initiative to boost the talent of Punjab’s youth by providing quality coaching for entrance exams from reputed institutes like Physics Walla. Such initiatives should be further encouraged to ensure our children have the best opportunities for brighter future”.
One parent shared, “The camp is a great opportunity for students to prepare themselves for competitive exams. The teachers attend their doubts and give them suggestions on how to approach a questio. The school campus is also highly secure and clean with all facilities.”
The feedback from parents and SMC members is crucial for the continuous improvement of the PACE Residential Boot Camps. This input helps ensure that every student has the best possible environment and support to excel in their academic pursuits. The PACE Residential Boot Camps exemplify a community-driven approach to educational excellence. By involving parents and SMC members in the evaluation process, the program not only ensures transparency but also leverages collective insights to foster an environment of continuous improvement.