Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s vision to make Punjab a leading education hub in India while addressing the ‘Sitaare Zameen Te’ programme held in Chandigarh. The event honoured meritorious students of Classes 8, 10, and 12 for their academic excellence.
The Chief Minister praised the students for their achievements and said the state’s education sector has undergone a significant transformation in the last four years under sustained reforms and focused investment.
‘Shikhya Kranti’ Driving Education Transformation in Punjab
CM Mann highlighted that the ongoing ‘Shikhya Kranti’ (Education Revolution) has played a key role in improving the quality of school education in Punjab. According to him, government schools—once considered under-resourced—are now delivering strong academic results at both state and national levels.
He stated that these reforms are aimed at ensuring that students no longer feel compelled to move abroad, particularly to countries like Canada and Australia, in search of quality education.
Government Schools Show Strong Academic Performance
The Chief Minister noted that government schools, including Schools of Eminence, have produced remarkable outcomes this year. He revealed that 359 students cleared the JEE Main examination, reflecting the growing academic strength of public education institutions in the state.
He added that improved infrastructure, better teaching practices, and targeted academic support have contributed significantly to this success.
Focus on Modern Education and Teacher Training
CM Mann emphasized that Punjab is shifting toward a modern, skill-based education system that prioritizes understanding, critical thinking, and innovation over rote learning.
As part of this initiative, teachers have been sent for international training programs in countries such as Finland and Singapore to learn advanced teaching methods and bring global best practices into Punjab classrooms.
Empowerment of Girls and Rising Confidence in Students
A major highlight of the Chief Minister’s address was the strong performance of girl students, with a majority of toppers in this year’s board examinations being girls. He described this as a positive sign of growing empowerment and confidence among young women in the state.
He also remarked that today’s students are more confident and engaged, even questioning leadership figures, which reflects a healthy and open learning environment.
Education Minister and Leaders Highlight Infrastructure Push
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains noted significant improvements in school infrastructure, stating that every government school student now has access to proper classroom facilities and improved learning environments.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also attended the event and advocated for major reforms in India’s examination system. He stressed that students should be evaluated on overall skills and capabilities rather than a single three-hour exam.
Students Share Positive Experiences
Students present at the programme expressed appreciation for the Punjab government’s efforts to improve school education. They highlighted better facilities, increased confidence-building initiatives, and new opportunities for academic and personal growth.
Punjab Aiming to Become National Education Leader
With large-scale reforms, international exposure for teachers, improved infrastructure, and consistent student achievements, the Punjab government believes its education revolution is laying the foundation for long-term progress.
Officials say these initiatives are positioning Punjab as one of India’s emerging education hubs, with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and accessibility.
