To impart quality education in rural areas, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched a state-level project for setting up 21 model schools across the state by laying the foundation stone for a model school at Bhagsar village. The project would cost Rs 70 crore.

Addressing a sangat darshan programme here, the Chief Minister lamented that the poor rural youth were not getting quality education on a par with those studying in public schools in urban areas.

He said it was the endeavour of his government to provide best educational opportunities to youths residing in rural areas. He reiterated his commitment to upgrade the existing infrastructure at all government schools and said the government had already recruited nearly 27,000 teachers for the purpose.

He said poor and bright students would be provided free education at the upcoming model schools and said the school being set up at Bhagsar village would be completed within six months and would have facilities to impart education in all streams.

The Chief Minister said he was personally against laying foundation stones of development projects till the requisite funds, approvals and tenders were not invited. He, however, said he had to lay these foundation stones only to make people believe about the existence of projects.