Chandigarh: The Punjab government has initiated a major digital revolution in public schools, aiming to provide students with modern technology-based education. Under this initiative, computer labs and smart classrooms are being established across the state’s secondary and senior secondary schools, ensuring that government schools offer facilities on par with or better than private institutions.
Unboxing Celebration Programs for Schools
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains announced that school principals have been instructed to organize “Unboxing Celebration” programs at the school level from February 21 to March 20. Parents, School Management Committees, Panchayats, retired teachers, and ex-servicemen will be invited to witness the beginning of this new digital era.
Minister Bains emphasized that involving the local community will strengthen public confidence in government schools. “Often, people see government schools from outside and remain unaware of the transformative changes happening inside. This initiative will allow parents to witness their children learning with the latest technology, even better than some private schools,” he said.
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Massive Computer and Smart Classroom Rollout
As part of the initiative, 38,649 new computers are being distributed to 5,012 schools at a cost of ₹400 crore. Additionally, 3,700 schools are receiving interactive flat-panel displays for smart classrooms. The rollout has already begun in Sangrur and Rupnagar districts, and by March 20, every government school in Punjab will have its new computer labs operational.
Minister Bains stated that 5,000 fully functional computer labs will be established across all secondary and senior secondary government schools. The goal is to ensure that students have access to state-of-the-art digital learning tools and resources, preparing them for a rapidly evolving global environment.
AI-Based Education and Future Initiatives
The Punjab government is also planning to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects in schools, which will soon be officially announced. The focus is on making government schools technology-enabled centers of learning, equipping students with the skills required for higher education, employment, and leadership in a digitally-driven world.
Teacher Concerns and TET Requirements
Addressing concerns over making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for government school teachers, Minister Bains stated that the government is consulting legal experts. “No teacher’s job will be at risk. We understand the concerns of experienced teachers who have served for 20–25 years. The government will find a fair solution, and we remain in constant dialogue with teacher unions,” he said.
Punjab Education Revolution: From Traditional to Smart Classrooms
The initiative is part of the Punjab Education Revolution, under which the Bhagwant Mann government is transforming traditional classrooms into technology-driven smart learning environments. By providing advanced digital tools, interactive teaching, and AI-enabled learning, Punjab aims to ensure that its students are well-prepared for modern challenges and global competitiveness.
Minister Bains concluded, “Our mission is to make government schools a symbol of excellence, where students can access world-class education and develop skills that match the pace of the rapidly evolving world.”
