The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has issued new directives to state schools to record and upload ten testimonial videos of mothers during parent‑teacher meetings, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
The directive, issued by the Punjab State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on Thursday, instructs teachers to ask mothers about the "Mukhyamantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana" scheme, record their responses, and post at least ten videos on the school's social media pages.
The first implementation site was the School of Eminence in Phase 3B1, Mohali, where teachers were seen asking mothers about the scheme and filming their answers; a similar activity took place at PM Shri Government High School in Nayagaon, Mohali, where the principal met with parents and distributed pamphlets highlighting government achievements.
Opposition leaders slammed the exercise. Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira denounced it as a politicisation of education, while Akali chief Bikram Singh Majithia called it a PR stunt that turns schools into marketing events.
A mother from Mohali told reporters she felt uneasy being recorded for a government campaign, saying the focus should remain on her child's learning rather than a political message.
The government faces a formal complaint lodged with the Punjab Legislative Assembly, and the matter is slated for debate in the next session of the Assembly, with opposition parties demanding a review of the directive.