Dear Esteemed Members,
I am writing to share an inspiring initiative undertaken by the Trust for Promotion of Education, which is dedicated to improving the standard of primary education in the rural areas of Punjab. Our present focus is on six Government Primary Schools in villages around Mohali. This modest but meaningful initiative has the potential to transform the educational prospects of many rural children.
Many of us owe much of what we have achieved in life to the opportunities education has provided. Yet even today, countless bright children in our villages struggle simply because they lack academic support at home. Recognising this reality, the Trust has been striving to bridge this gap and provide deserving children with a stronger educational foundation.
The Trust was constituted and registered in April 2010, under the guidance of the late Dr Amarjit Singh Khehra, former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), to improve the quality of primary education in rural schools. In May 2015, the Trust was formally adopted by the Mohali Senior Citizens Association (MSCA) while retaining its independent finances.
We are all aware that children whose parents are educated and actively involved in their studies generally perform better academically. However, many rural children do not receive such support at home. To bridge this gap, the Trust decided to act as a caring parent by arranging additional after-school coaching for Class V students. Suitable teachers from the same village are engaged to provide two hours of daily coaching, helping students revise classroom lessons, clear their doubts, and strengthen their foundations for higher studies. This initiative not only benefits the children but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for local women.
The programme initially began in three Government Primary Schools—Saidpur, Jhanjeri and Majat. Encouraged by the positive results, the Trust expanded its efforts and now supports six schools, including Cholta Khurd, Majatri and Sawara.
Trust members regularly visit these schools to monitor progress, meet the Head Teachers, review students’ exercise books and disburse salaries to the coaching teachers. Annual results are carefully analysed, and the findings consistently show significant improvement in students’ academic performance due to the additional coaching support.
Over the past several years, the Trust has shown that a modest intervention can make a remarkable difference. By providing structured after-school coaching, we have helped rural children strengthen their fundamentals, improve their academic performance and build confidence in their abilities. The encouraging results in the schools under our care reaffirm that this approach works.
The Trust is presently led by Sh. Jarnail Singh Benipal, former Controller of Examinations at the Punjab School Education Board. Trustees include Sh. Jagmohan Singh Thukral, Sh. D. S. Bhatia, and Sh. Jarnail Singh Saini. I am honoured to serve as both a Trustee and Secretary General of the Trust.
As members of MSCA, we have always believed in contributing positively to society. This initiative provides us with an opportunity to invest not merely in a project, but in the future of young children who may otherwise never receive such support.
Those who wish to support this effort may do so through financial contributions, suggestions or active involvement. Every contribution, regardless of its size, directly supports the coaching programme and helps ensure that deserving children receive the educational foundation they need to build better lives.
Donations to the Trust are exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Contributions can be made online using the following details:
Account Name: TRUST FOR PROMOTION OF EDUCATION (REGD.)
Bank: State Bank of India
Account Number: 65082467556
IFSC Code: SBIN0050502
Let us come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of these children. By strengthening primary education today, we are helping to create informed, capable and responsible citizens for tomorrow.
What greater legacy can we leave than helping a child discover the power of education?
Yours as ever,
Brig JS Jagdev