Chandigarh, Oct 25: Punjab’s public education system is undergoing a major revamp with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann unveiling the success of the state’s Schools of Eminence — a flagship initiative designed to provide high-quality education and skill training to students from all backgrounds.
The government has established 118 Schools of Eminence across Punjab, developed at a cost of ₹231.74 crore, with facilities on par with top private schools. The initiative, Mann said, aims to eliminate economic disparity in education and ensure that “no child, especially girls, is left behind.”
Students enrolled in these schools receive free uniforms, free transportation for girls, and special coaching for competitive exams such as NEET, JEE and Armed Forces entrance tests.
“Under this program, our goal is clear — to build confidence, create opportunities, and make Punjab’s students capable of giving employment rather than just seeking it,” Mann said in a statement.
Officials said participation from parents has surged, with 25 lakh attending PTMs across government schools, while senior officers are mentoring students under the state’s School Mentorship Program.
The results, the Chief Minister added, reflect the impact of reforms. This year, 265 students from government schools qualified JEE Mains, 44 cleared JEE Advanced, and 848 passed NEET.
Education department officials said that the strong performance has also attracted private school students to government institutions — a reversal from previous years.
Mann described the initiative as a “modern temple of education” and said that Punjab’s future “is being built on the foundation of knowledge, equality and opportunity.”
