Chandigarh, November 22, 2025 — Since taking charge as Education Secretary of the Union Territory, Prerna Puri, IAS, has launched a series of reforms that are reshaping both school-level and higher education, positioning Chandigarh as a model for innovation, inclusion, and future-readiness.

Strengthening School Governance with Suggestion Boxes

One of Puri’s first major interventions was the rollout of suggestion boxes in all government schools. The initiative provides students, teachers, parents and staff a safe, anonymous channel to express feedback and flag issues like bullying or classroom dynamics. Hindustan Times
Each school has formed a review committee—including principals, teachers, student representatives, and district education officers—which meets biweekly to review suggestions, propose changes, and publicly post outcomes to build trust and transparency.

Focused Monitoring to Improve Learning Outcomes

Under Puri’s leadership, the Education Department has intensified its focus on learning outcomes, aligning with the goals of NEP-2020. In a recent review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, she presented data on literacy, infrastructure, innovation, and student performance, calling for continued and rigorous monitoring to ensure impactful reforms.
She also highlighted the pressing issue of gender equity, urging stronger outreach efforts to improve girl-student enrollment.

Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities

In 2025, Chandigarh launched a pioneering Inclusive Education Policy for Children with Disabilities—a major step in making education barrier-free. 
The policy guarantees free and compulsory education up to age 18, introduces vocational training from Class 9, and sets up grievance committees in schools to safeguard rights and dignity of students with special needs. The Indian Express

Higher Education Reform: Skill-Based Courses & NEP-2020 Rollout

Puri has been instrumental in steering higher education reforms across Chandigarh’s government colleges. In a meeting with all college principals, she pushed for the launch of vocational and skill-oriented courses with fixed student quotas, advocating for greater employability and alignment with modern job markets. 
She has strongly supported centralized coaching for competitive exams under RUSA, strengthening alumni networks, and nurturing ties between colleges through mentorship and institutional development.

Promoting NEP-2020 Implementation

Puri has prioritized the rollout of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Chandigarh’s colleges. In her engagements with college principals, she pushed for a more flexible, multidisciplinary curriculum, underlining the need for faculty training and structural changes to align with NEP’s vision. 
Her support for a joint online prospectus for admission to colleges underscores her commitment to transparency, inclusion, and student-centric policies.

Boost to Teacher Morale and School Leadership

Recognizing the backbone of school education, Puri cleared pending promotions for 16 government school teachers, elevating them to the role of principals. 
She has also faced and addressed concerns raised by teacher associations — including pay issues and anonymous grievances — showing a willingness to listen and act.

Why Her Work Matters

Prerna Puri’s multifaceted reform agenda is not merely administrative; it is transformational. By combining institutional reforms, grassroots engagement, and policy innovation, she is building a more inclusive, accountable, and future-ready education system in Chandigarh. Her work reflects a deep understanding that education is not just about academics—but about building character, opportunity, and equity.