Shandaar char saal: Bhagwant Mann presents Punjab's education reforms report card

UPDATED: Mar 30, 2026 20:44 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday presented a comprehensive report card of the state government's education sector, highlighting significant reforms, increased budget allocation and improved academic outcomes over the past four years.

Addressing a press conference under the “Shandaar Char Saal Bhagwant Mann de naal” campaign, Mann said the government’s “Shiksha Kranti” has transformed government schools into competitive and outcome-driven institutions.

He said the education budget has been increased from Rs 12,657 crore in 2021–22 to Rs 19,279 crore in 2026–27, marking a substantial rise in financial commitment towards the sector. He added that the allocation for the current financial year is about 7 per cent higher than the previous year.

Calling it an era of “education revolution”, Mann said major infrastructure revamps have been introduced in schools. He was addressing reporters in the presence of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains while detailing the steps taken by the AAP government in the past four years.

During the address, Mann lamented incidents of paper leaks in other states, claiming that maximum such cases are reported in Gujarat, while asserting that no such incident has taken place in Punjab over the past four years. He said, “one feels sad when one hears of incidents of paper leaks. Gujarat, UP and Madhya Pradesh there have been incidents of paper leak.” Referring to youth sentiment, he added that students have even coined the slogan “Paper Futa Sapna Toota”.

Emphasising the importance of education, Mann said it is a powerful tool to pull people out of poverty, especially for underprivileged children who study with the belief that education can transform their lives.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Mann recalled visiting near the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh before assuming office, where he would tell security guards to keep the premises clean, saying he would one day become the CM. He highlighted the importance of self-confidence, distinguishing it from arrogance, and spoke about the power of manifestation and belief.

Mann said countries prioritise education progress across sectors. He alleged that previous governments had created a divide between private and government schools, but his administration has worked to bridge that gap by upgrading infrastructure and improving teaching standards. He claimed that government schools in Punjab are now at par with private institutions, offering parents a credible alternative.

To enhance accountability, Mann said that from April 1, parents will be informed about their child’s absence as well as teachers’ leave.

Highlighting academic achievements, he said Punjab secured the top position in the National Achievement Survey 2024, with government school students scoring 18 per cent higher than the national average. He added that 740 students have cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and 1,284 have qualified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in recent years.

On institutional development, Mann said 118 Schools of Eminence are being established across the state, with 60 already operational. These schools aim to provide specialised education and career-oriented guidance.

He also noted that around 24 lakh parents participated in mega parent-teacher meetings, strengthening community engagement.

Focusing on inclusivity, Mann said free bus services have been introduced for girl students in government schools and Schools of Eminence, benefiting around 15,500 students.

On staffing, he said that since April 2022, 14,525 teachers have been recruited and the services of 12,316 education department employees have been regularised.

Highlighting teacher training initiatives, Mann said several batches of teachers, principals and education officers have been sent abroad. Eight batches were sent to Singapore, while primary teachers received training in Finland. Headmasters also underwent leadership training at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.

On infrastructure, Mann said comprehensive upgrades have been carried out, including classrooms, science and computer labs, libraries, playgrounds and separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls. He added that high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity has been provided in all government schools.

Additional staff such as campus managers, security guards, sanitation workers and watchmen have also been deployed to ensure safety and maintenance of school premises.

Highlighting innovation, Mann said the Business Blaster programme has been introduced to promote entrepreneurial thinking among students, under which students have collectively generated around Rs 70 crore through business ideas.

Mann reiterated that the government is launching the second phase of education reforms with an outlay of 3,500 crore, supported by the World Bank, to further strengthen the sector.

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