Chandigarh, March 30: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed on Monday that Punjab is setting a new national benchmark in education through global teacher training and innovative curriculum changes. Detailing the achievements of the “Shiksha Kranti,” the Chief Minister stated that the state has moved beyond superficial “Smart Schools” to create institutions equipped with world-class facilities and trained leadership.
To ensure high teaching standards, the government has sent eight batches of principals to Singapore and three batches of primary teachers to Turku, Finland, for specialized training. Mann asserted that these international exposures, along with leadership programs at IIM Ahmedabad, are the driving force behind Punjab’s top rank in the National Achievement Survey.
The Chief Minister noted that the government has recruited over 14,500 teachers since April 2022 and regularized the services of 12,316 employees. He maintained that accountability has been strengthened through digital initiatives, including a system starting April 1 to inform parents about student absences and teacher leaves.
“Our aim is to create job creators, not job seekers,” Mann stated, referring to the Business Blaster scheme. He affirmed that Punjab is the first state to introduce Entrepreneurship as a mandatory subject for Class 11, with student ideas already generating ₹70 crore in collective value.
The Chief Minister also detailed higher education reforms, including the country’s first Digital Open University Policy-2026 and the establishment of a world-class university at Sri Anandpur Sahib. He declared that the “Punjabi-First Policy” at Guru Nanak Dev University has improved access for rural students, while the mandatory use of Punjabi for official work is now 100% enforced under the Punjab Language Act.
“From April 2022, we have ensured that students receive books on time and free uniforms,” Mann affirmed, stating that the recruitment of nearly 2,000 campus managers and 1,300 security guards has ensured the safety and maintenance of the new infrastructure.
