The Education department witnessed a change of guard with Sunil Bhatia, Punjab Civil Services officer taking charge as the Director Public Instructions (Schools) on Tuesday. A day after the Administration shifted former DPI Samwartak Singh as the new Director, Social Welfare, he was busy briefing his successor about the department and its functioning.

Bhatia spent his first day in the office forming a rapport with his staff.

Talking to Newsline, Bhatia said it was too early for him to talk about how he planned to contribute to schools and the department. “I need sometime to settle down and get informed about the working of the department. It would not be right on my part to talk about developmental works at this stage when I have just resumed office. Once I have done my homework, we will talk about it,” said Bhatia. He, however, added that improving the quality of education and infrastructure of schools would be his priority.

Meanwhile, the government teachers’ union welcomed the new DPI. Dr Vinod Sharma, president of the union, said he hoped that the new DPI will look into their pending demands like central pay scale and transfer policy.