CHANDIGARH, MAY 11 — A historic shift in India’s educational landscape has been recorded in the latest NITI Aayog Education Quality Report, which places Punjab ahead of Kerala as the nation’s premier state for school education. The findings validate a series of infrastructure and pedagogical reforms introduced by the state government, emphasizing foundational learning and teacher empowerment.
In Class 9 mathematics, the report highlighted that Punjab achieved a 52% proficiency score, notably higher than Kerala’s 45%. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that the findings reflect a genuine transformation on the ground, particularly in the state’s 118 Schools of Eminence.
“When policy, intent, and execution walk together, results follow,” Bains maintained. He asserted that government school students are no longer just catching up with their private school peers but are now leading at a national level.
The minister declared that the recruitment of 13,000 new teachers and staff has been a cornerstone of the state’s educational strategy. He also noted that the English Edge Programme now serves nearly 3 lakh students, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder academic progress.
According to Bains, the report praised the state for ensuring equal opportunities for girls and students in rural areas. He stated that the presence of smart classrooms in over 80% of schools has modernized the learning environment for these demographics.
“NITI Aayog has now validated what the state has been seeing on the ground,” Bains affirmed. He declared that with the right intent and performance, quality education has become inevitable for the youth of Punjab.
