Punjab's Student Mental Health Initiative Hits Major Roadblock in Ludhiana
A flagship government program designed to provide mental health support to students across Punjab has encountered significant bureaucratic obstacles in Ludhiana district. The ambitious scheme, which requires all PM Shri schools to offer guidance and counseling services, is struggling to get off the ground due to what officials describe as unrealistic salary offerings for qualified professionals.
Widespread Vacancies Plague Implementation
Under the new state education department mandate, all PM Shri schools must provide counseling sessions for students in classes IX through XII. The program specifically targets teenagers navigating career choices, behavioral challenges, and mental health issues. Schools are supposed to hire part-time professionals who would work eight hours weekly, spread across four days.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. In Ludhiana district, only six out of twenty-four designated PM Shri schools have managed to appoint counselors. This leaves eighteen schools, representing seventy-five percent of the total, without these crucial support services. Thousands of students are currently going without the mandated mental health assistance as they approach critical examination periods.
Salary Caps Clash with Qualification Requirements
The primary obstacle appears to be financial. The government has set a rigid monthly salary cap of just Rs 8,333 for these positions. School principals and district officials report that this amount fails to attract qualified candidates who must meet stringent eligibility criteria.
Prospective counselors need either a master's degree in psychology or a specialized post-graduate diploma in counseling. They must also have scored at least fifty percent marks in their undergraduate studies and be deemed physically and mentally fit. Priority is given to candidates with prior experience in educational settings.
"The fixed salary is a major challenge for the authorities," explained a Ludhiana PM Shri school principal who requested anonymity. "Those with a master's degree in psychology are not ready to take on part-time roles for eight thousand rupees when they already have stable work elsewhere. We are trying to find the best person for our students, but the math doesn't add up for the candidates."
Qualified Professionals Choose More Lucrative Options
Most qualified mental health professionals are opting for more financially rewarding opportunities in private practice or hospital settings rather than accepting these part-time government positions. The salary offered represents just a fraction of what they could earn through other employment channels.
Beyond simple career advice, these counseling roles are designed to serve as critical intervention points for student well-being. Counselors are expected to conduct psychological and aptitude testing, address behavioral disorders, and act as liaisons between parents and teachers to improve the overall school environment.
Officials Remain Hopeful Despite Challenges
District guidance counselor Gurkirpal Singh acknowledged the recruitment struggle but maintained that the selection process continues. The process is overseen by the district education officer for secondary education and school management committees.
Singh assured that remaining schools would fill their vacancies "as soon as possible," though he provided no specific timeline for resolution. District Education Officer Dimple Madaan was unavailable for comment regarding the current staffing shortfall and potential solutions to the salary impasse.
The situation highlights the gap between policy intentions and practical implementation in educational support services. As the academic year progresses, students in affected schools continue without access to the mental health resources the government promised to provide through this important initiative.
