Chandigarh, October 28: The Punjab government is taking a novel step to bridge the gap between classrooms and the corridors of power by hosting a mock session of the Vidhan Sabha for government school students next month.
The event, scheduled for November 26, will see students from all 117 Assembly constituencies occupy the seats of elected representatives for a day. The exercise is being described as a “nursery of democracy” by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who said the aim is to cultivate political awareness and civic responsibility among the youth.
“Students can become informed citizens and elect the right representatives only when they understand how the system works,” Sandhwan said. “We want them to feel that the Assembly is not a distant place but a platform where every citizen’s voice matters.”
Students selected from Scheduled Caste-reserved constituencies will also represent those seats in the mock session, ensuring inclusivity. The day-long session will follow the same procedures as the regular Assembly sittings, giving students exposure to debates, law-making, and budget preparation.
Officials said the exercise is part of the Mann government’s efforts to move beyond academic learning and focus on practical, participatory education. “When a student from a small village sits on a chair once occupied by Punjab’s leaders, it sends a strong message — that democracy belongs to everyone,” said an official involved in the programme.
Educationists have welcomed the move, saying such exposure can inspire young people to engage with governance, policymaking, and social issues. The initiative, they say, could become a model for other states to follow
