With a chemical engineering degree from Tulane University and all but her dissertation in marketing completed for a PhD from LSU, it is evident that Supriya Jindal, Louisiana’s First Lady, is a believer in the power and importance of education.

Jindal spoke about the importance of education and workforce training at the Mandeville Republican Women’s Club 25th anniversary luncheon Thursday.

“Children are our hope and dreams for our state’s future,” she said.

Former Governor Dave Treen and Supriya Jindal, wife of Governor Bobby Jindal, at the Mandeville Republican Women's 25th anniversary luncheon Thursday. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

She has established a non-profit foundation to raise funds to help modernize classrooms throughout the state, The Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s Children. Noting the staggering statistics that rank the state 45th in the nation in eighth-grade math and 35th out of 39 states in fourth-grade science, she said education is the key to creating a trained workforce to fill jobs in the state.

One of the problems in the state’s education program is that many classrooms lack the technology that students encounter every day outside of the classroom. Jindal said interactive white board technology can combine many tools and resources that teachers can use to reach students and involve them in the learning process. Calling the technology “a Swiss Army knife for teachers,” she would like to raise money so each classroom in the state would be able to provide the opportunities possible by using this technology.

In the education and training of a workforce, the governor is creating a new plan that will fill jobs with trained workers who can go to work immediately at a company without further training. This will be accomplished through high schools, technical training and vocational training, Jindal said.

The safety of children is also a priority with the Jindal administration. She explained the governor is proposing a strengthening of laws against those who would harm children. Stiffer penalties and a lifelong registration for those who molest children are also part of the governor’s vision.

Stabilizing the budget in the state while still providing needed services is the current challenge. Education and healthcare always seem to be cut because they are not funded with dedicated funds like other budget areas.

The governor wishes to change that, said Jindal, by changing the state’s Constitution. He would also like to review dedicated budget protection every few years so that needs, which can change over time, can better be met.

“The reform of the state’s ethics has resulted in a new Louisiana,” she said. Once ranked at the bottom of the country with a 43 percent grade, Louisiana is now at the top of the ethics list with a 99 percent. She said this has helped Gov. Jindal accomplish the first of his three priorities at the forefront of his vision for Louisiana: ethics reform, business tax relief and workforce development.

Jindal said the reason many businesses do not come to the state to set up their plants is an overtaxing of businesses. By instituting a cut in the growth of government and taking steps so the government will live within its means, the endless growth of government will be in check and tax reform can take place.

The governor wants to create a level playing field for business by creating a more business-friendly climate.

According to Department of Labor statistics, Jindal said there has been an increase in jobs since February.

Through tax reform and workforce development, the state will be able to attract more 21st century businesses and industries that will emerge in the next decade.

Jindal said the delegation from the Northshore area is very strong and has been supportive of the governor’s agenda and long-range vision for the state. She also thanked the luncheon’s attendees for their efforts in helping get the governor elected to office.