Gurpreet Singh :- The Punjab government on Monday presented a comprehensive four-year report card of its education sector, highlighting major reforms, large-scale recruitments, and international training initiatives aimed at transforming the state’s schooling system.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that more than 14,000 teachers have been recruited during the government’s tenure, significantly addressing the shortage of teaching staff in government schools. In addition, over 12,000 employees of the education department have been regularised, ensuring job stability and administrative continuity.
Emphasising quality improvement, the Chief Minister noted that Punjab has adopted a global approach to teacher training. So far, eight batches of educators have been sent to Singapore, while more than 400 teachers and principals have received professional training in Finland and Singapore. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at bringing modern teaching methodologies into classrooms.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains was also present during the presentation. The Chief Minister asserted that the government has worked to bridge the gap between government and private schools by upgrading infrastructure and academic standards. He claimed that government schools in Punjab are now comparable to private institutions in terms of facilities and quality of education.
Highlighting financial commitment, Mann said that the state has allocated ₹19,279 crore to the education sector, marking an increase over previous budgets. He further claimed that Punjab has emerged as a leading state in education performance, surpassing traditionally strong performers.
The government has also focused on improving student accessibility. Special school bus services have been introduced, benefiting over 15,000 students. These buses are equipped with tracking systems, allowing parents to monitor their children’s commute in real time.
Administrative reforms have also been undertaken, including the appointment of campus managers in 1,932 schools and deployment of over 1,300 security personnel to ensure a safe learning environment. Additionally, parent-teacher interaction programs have been institutionalised to enhance community participation in education.
In a push towards digital learning, the government has announced a major investment of around ₹20,000 crore to provide high-speed internet connectivity across schools. Officials said Punjab is among a limited number of states where such digital infrastructure is being systematically developed.
Reiterating the government’s vision, the Chief Minister said that education remains the foundation of progress and that equal access to quality schooling is essential for long-term development. He added that the reforms are designed to ensure that every child, regardless of background, receives modern and high-quality education.
