State Council of Educational Research and Training (S.C.E.R.T.) Punjab, Chandigarh came into existence in July 1981 as Nodal Agency for bringing qualitative improvement in School Education. The National Policy of Education 1986/1992 followed by Programme of Action for the future necessitated its strengthening so as to equip it to provide leadership for effective implementation of assigned programmes for bringing qualitative improvement in School Education.

There are 12 In-service training Centres, which are functioning at the District Headquarters under the control of this Directorate. These institutions are providing in-service training to the teachers and heads of the institutions of Government High, Higher/Senior Secondary Schools so that they can educate the students according to the New Education Policy.

There are 17 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) working at district headquarters. DIETs’ three main functions are:

• (i) Training (both of induction level as well as continuing varieties)
• (ii) Resource support (extension/guidance, development of materials, aids, evaluation tools, etc.) and
• (iii) Action research

The S.C.E.R.T is the nodal agency to carry out admission for two-years teacher training diploma course. Approximately 60000 students appear for this examination. It is a matter of pride that the number of seats for Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) Course has been increased from1950 to 3400 to offer more job opportunities to the unemployed youth of the Punjab. Besides this, S.C.E.R.T. Punjab ensures 20-days in-service training every year to all the primary and upper primary teachers working in the State Schools which enhances their academic capability and improves the quality of education apart from sensitizing them to various social issues like gender bias. S.C.E.R.T. Punjab also conducts fifth class examination every year in the month of February. More than 5 lac students undertake this public examination.