Ludhiana, Oct. 10 -- The mega parent teacher meetings (PTMs), organised across Punjab on Friday, drew criticism from teachers' unions in Ludhiana, which alleged that the exercise was being used to publicise government schemes, including the Mawan Dheeyan Yojana, rather than focus on students' academic progress.

Punjab education secretary Sonali Giri, however, defended discussions on government schemes at school gatherings, saying these helped parents understand the benefits available to them.

Daljit Singh Samrala, district president of the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), said the meetings, which were held across government schools in Ludhiana. should provide a forum for parents and teachers to assess students' academic performance, ide...