Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today presented a detailed report card of four years of “Education Revolution” of the Punjab Government under the series “Fantastic Four Years Bhagwant Mann De Naal”. In this report card, it was told that due to continuous reforms, government schools are turning into model institutions, which are showing excellent results across the country.

Describing the ‘education revolution’ as the backbone of Punjab’s development, the Chief Minister highlighted the top ranking in national assessments, record academic results, zero paper leaks and unprecedented investment in infrastructure and teacher training.

Huge increase in education budget

The Chief Minister said that extensive financial arrangements have been made to ensure this change. The education budget in the year 2021-22 was Rs 12,657 crore, which has been increased to Rs 19,279 crore in 2026-27. This shows the priority being given to this sector by the AAP government.

The Chief Minister said that this education report card is part of the continuous accountability process. Earlier, such report card of performance of four years was also presented in key sectors like irrigation, health, sports and law and order and these results show the special attention being given by the government to all parts of governance.

Attack on education policy of previous governments

Addressing the press conference, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann outlined comprehensive reforms undertaken in school and higher education, highlighting the structural reforms, record investments and results made in the last four years.

He said, “Countries that give priority to education have made progress in every field. In our country, education was divided into private and government schools, which created a deep gap in education. Previous governments had limited schools only to mid-day meal centres, but our government has changed the entire system.”

Government schools now at par with private ones

The Chief Minister said, “Government schools are now being provided with facilities at par with private schools, which will provide better options to parents. From April 1, parents will also be informed about their child’s absence from school and leave of teachers, which will ensure accountability at every level. Unlike many other states, especially Gujarat, there has not been a single incident of paper leak in Punjab in the last four years, which is a matter of great pride.”

Punjab ranks first in National Achievement Survey

Emphasizing on giving priority to education in the administration, the Chief Minister said, “Education contributes the most to the progress and prosperity of any state or country. In the last four years, we have given highest priority to this sector. Earlier, people and innocent children were misled in the name of ‘Smart Schools’. Schools were made beautiful only by painting, but they lacked proper facilities or teachers.

Today, government schools of Punjab stand at par with private institutions and our education model is being discussed across the country.” The Chief Minister said that a budget of Rs 19,279 crore has been allocated for the financial year 2026-27, which is 7 percent more than last year. We are starting the second phase of the education revolution with Rs 3,500 crore. Under this, a partnership has been made with the World Bank, making it the largest education reform program in the country.

Record exam results and achievements

Highlighting the main achievements, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the National Achievement Survey-2024, Punjab has overtaken Kerala and secured the first position, while Gujarat is at 16th and Haryana is at about 7th or 8th. This achievement belongs to the teachers and students of our government schools.”

He said, “In recent years, 740 students have cleared the JEE exam and 1284 have cleared the NEET exam. Students from government schools have scored 18 percent more marks in the survey than the national average.”

School of Eminence and new initiatives

Giving information about the institutional expansion, the Chief Minister said, “118 Schools of Eminence are being established, of which 60 are already functional. These schools are helping talented students realize their dreams by providing them education as per their abilities and interests. For the first time, 24 lakh parents have participated in Mega PTM.”

He further said that 30,000 students have been provided free uniforms in these schools and education in every stream including medical and non-medical is available. Along with this, students are also being given coaching for examinations like Armed Forces Preparatory, NEET, JEE and CLAT.

Special focus on girls’ education

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that apart from this, free bus services have been started for girls in schools of eminence and government schools so that no girl is deprived of education. About 15,500 students are benefiting from it.

Recruitment and training of teachers

He further said that from April 2022, 14,525 teachers have been recruited and the services of 12,316 employees of the Education Department have been regularized. We are also ensuring world-class training for principals and teachers.

Elaborating on the capacity building, he said that eight batches of 264 education officers, principals and teachers have been sent to Singapore for this purpose. Also, three batches of 216 primary teachers were sent for training in Turku, Finland. Five batches I.I.M.

Sent to Ahmedabad, where 249 head teachers received leadership training. Gagandeep Kaur, a science teacher from Government Senior Secondary School, Sainsra Kalan, Amritsar, participated in a two-month program at California State University, USA, which shows the dedication and capability of our teachers.

Infrastructure and security system

Talking about infrastructure and security, the Chief Minister said that we are ensuring proper maintenance and security in government schools. A total of 1,932 campus managers, 1,323 security guards, 7,876 sanitation workers and 1,792 watchmen have been recruited for this purpose. Also, high-speed fiber Wi-Fi facility has been provided in all government schools with a budget of Rs 20 crore, making Punjab the only state in the country to take this initiative.

He further said that along with this, new classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, multipurpose rooms, kitchens, medical rooms, head rooms, playgrounds and separate toilets for boys and girls have been built. Students are now getting books on time and being provided free uniforms. Apart from this, 25 government schools have been named after martyrs, freedom riders and prominent personalities.

Promote entrepreneurship and innovation

Highlighting the steps taken towards innovation and research, he said that the Business Blaster Scheme has been launched to promote entrepreneurial thinking among students, who have collectively earned Rs 70 crore through their latest ideas. Punjab is the first state to introduce entrepreneurship as a subject in class 11th. He said that our aim is to make students not job seekers but job providers.

Mentorship and cultural awareness

On School Mentorship Program (an initiative to give direction to students), Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this program has been started for the first time, where IAS, IPS. And senior officers guide the students. He said that as part of celebrating the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a 15-day program was organized to make students aware about the great life and exemplary sacrifice of Guru Sahib.

Major reforms in higher education

Talking about higher education reforms, he said that Punjab has introduced the country’s first ‘Digital Open University Policy-2026’. A world class university will be established in Sri Anandpur Sahib in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has implemented a ‘Punjabi-first policy’ to improve access for rural students and has launched an online admission portal for government degree colleges to ensure transparency. He said that 10 new degree colleges have been planned and construction of one college is going on at Bikaur in Ajnala.

Preservation of Punjabi language and literature

He further said that to strengthen linguistic and cultural initiatives, Punjabi has been made 100 percent mandatory in government work under the Punjab Language Act. Digitization of Punjabi literature is going on and till now 18,550 books have been digitized. Apart from this, 592 rare manuscripts have been conserved as well as digitized and more than 100 books are now available online.

He further said that ‘Shabdamala e-Dictionary’ has been launched as an Android app with many Punjabi dictionaries. He said that photographs of 60 prominent Punjabi literary personalities have been installed in Punjab Bhawan in New Delhi and awards have also been distributed for the best books in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.