Punjab, Jan 19: Education has emerged as the driving force behind Punjab’s transformation, with government schools in the state delivering results that were once considered unattainable. In a short span of time, Punjab’s public education system has gained national attention for its focus on quality, inclusivity and innovation, signalling what many describe as an education revolution.
A defining moment came when Punjab secured the top position in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India. For the first time, the state outperformed Kerala, long regarded as a benchmark for strong educational outcomes. The ranking reflected student performance across core subjects including mathematics, science, languages and social studies, underlining the growing academic strength of Punjab’s government schools.
The impact of these reforms has also become evident in competitive examinations. A record number of students from government schools in Punjab qualified for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the country’s premier medical entrance examination. Many of these successful candidates hailed from rural areas and economically weaker sections, highlighting how access to quality teaching and facilities can unlock potential irrespective of background. One such student said they had never imagined becoming a doctor until teachers encouraged them and the government provided the necessary support.
Similar progress has been seen in engineering education, with hundreds of government school students clearing JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Their success has opened the doors to India’s leading engineering institutions and reinforced the idea that the state’s reforms are producing high achievers rather than merely improving pass percentages.
Efforts to remove financial obstacles have played a crucial role in this shift. The Punjab Government provides free textbooks and school uniforms to students in government schools, ensuring that economic hardship does not interrupt education. Alongside this, the recruitment of thousands of new teachers and the regularisation of long-serving contractual staff have improved classroom stability and strengthened teacher-student ratios across the state.
Students themselves say the changes have boosted their confidence. One government school pupil noted that access to capable teachers, learning materials and smart classrooms has made them more hopeful about the future.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has repeatedly stressed the central role of education in the state’s progress, stating that Punjab’s future is shaped in its classrooms. He said the success of government school students in national surveys and major entrance examinations demonstrated that the reforms were delivering tangible results.
With growing national recognition and rising student achievements, Punjab’s education system is laying the foundation for a confident and skilled generation, ready to compete at the highest level and reshape the state’s future.
