He was speaking at a function organised at Guru Har Krishan Public School, Sector 40, after inaugurating the Computer block and library hall on the campus today. The Chief Minister observed that the most significant factor which contributed towards our backwardness was the defective system of education which needed reforms at all levels.

He revealed that visiting delegates from foreign countries generally attributed the prosperity of their countries to well organised and job-oriented system of education.

He emphasised on the need to shift our priority to this type of education which could enable our youth to undertake self-employment ventures. There is no dearth of talent among our youth in the rural areas and what was needed was tapping of their potential by taking suitable steps.

Badal said that he was pained to learn from the vice-chancellor of an agriculture university that rarely students educated from a rural school got admission in various agriculture courses as they were not able to compete with students of urban schools in the entrance examinations. Thus, greater attention was required for upgrading the standard of education in villages and colonies inhabited by weaker sections, so that their wards could successfully compete for admissions to various professional courses.

Vocational subjects should be introduced in all schools and colleges to train students in various skills, which will enable them to undertake self-employment ventures. This will in the long run eradicate problems of poverty and unemployment from the country. The Chief Minister also presented awards to the outstanding students of the institute.Earlier, while welcoming the chief guest, Kirpal Singh, president, Chief Khalsa Dewan, lauded his efforts in the directon of socio-economic and educational uplift of the society.