SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CHANDIGARH SCHOOL’S EXCELLENCE AWARDS ON MAY 13, 2023

I am pleased to be here on the occasion of conferring the Chandigarh Schools’ Excellence Awards upon our deserving schools, principals and teachers. 
This is a celebration of the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication displayed by these outstanding individuals and educational institutions both from the public and private sectors of UT in Chandigarh.
First and foremost, I extend my warmest congratulations to all the award recipients. Your tireless efforts, innovative approaches, and relentless pursuit of excellence have set you apart as shining.
This is the first edition of Chandigarh School’s Excellence Awards, constituted by Chandigarh Welfare Trust in which more than 200 schools from all over Chandigarh have participated.
A total of 215 awards have been conferred under 21 categories, which includes 4 categories of principals awards, 7 categories of teachers awards and 10 categories of schools awards.
Schools play a major role in ensuring that the gift of education reaches every child in the country.
The contribution of schools in improving the GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) is very important and cannot be undermined. 
Gross Enrolment Ratio of schools in Chandigarh at primary level is 85.4, whereas GER of school education at secondary and senior secondary levels is 90.1 and 81.7, respectively.
There are currently over 2.68 lac students studying in over 200 schools of Chandigarh and are being taught by nearly ten thousand teachers. 
As per the Performance Grading Index Report 2020-21, Chandigarh is placed on the 2nd in the ranking of school education. 
Therefore, understanding the importance of schools, teachers and principals across various sectors in Chandigarh is important and equally important is to recognise their excellence.
As you all know, our schools, principals, and teachers have a profound impact on the lives of students. 
Principals are the visionary leaders who steer the ship, ensuring that your schools are not only centers of academic learning but also places of inspiration and personal growth. Your leadership, guidance, and unwavering commitment to excellence can create a nurturing environment where students can thrive.
Our dedicated teachers, are the true heroes of the classrooms, tirelessly imparting knowledge, igniting curiosity, and molding young minds. Your passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication leaves an indelible mark on the lives of your students. You are the catalysts of change, equipping students with the tools they need to succeed and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
As we stand here, it is important to reflect on the significance of the Excellence Awards. They are not merely accolades; they symbolize a commitment to quality education, a pursuit of knowledge, and a dedication to nurturing the next generation. They inspire us to continuously strive for improvement, innovation, and the provision of an exceptional educational experience.
To all the other schools, principals, and teachers present here today, I encourage you to draw inspiration from the achievers we honor today. 
Let these awards ignite a fire within you, serving as a reminder of the transformative power of education and the limitless potential that lies within your classrooms.
 Let us also remember, “Excellence is not confined to the realm of competition”. It is a mindset, a continuous journey of improvement and growth. 
As we celebrate the achievements of today, let us recommit ourselves to fostering an educational ecosystem that promotes collaboration, supports professional development, and embraces innovation. 
Together, we can create an educational landscape where “Excellence becomes the Norm rather than the Exception”.
I extend my congratulations once again to all the award recipients. May this recognition be a source of inspiration for you to continue your remarkable work, furthering the cause of education and making a lasting impact on the lives of those you serve.
I must congratulate Chandigarh Welfare Trust for establishing Chandigarh School’s Excellence Awards, which helps in recognising the best schools, teachers, and principals of UT Chandigarh. 
May the spirit of excellence continue to guide you all on this remarkable journey of education.
Thank you,
Jai Hind.