Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday pointed out his government’s education reforms have transformed Punjab’s government school system, with the state moving from 27th in education in 2021 to No. 1 in primary education, while announcing the government’s vision to make Punjab a global education hub. During a state-level Teachers’ Day function in Mohali, the Chief Minister highlighted international training for teachers, 118 Schools of Eminence, Wi-Fi connectivity in 16,348 schools, Business Blasters and stronger parent participation through PTMs as key drivers of the transformation, while also honouring 50 teachers for their outstanding services.
Sharing a few snippets on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Today, at the state-level event held in Mohali on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, paid tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and honoured teachers who have rendered outstanding services. Taking the education sector to greater heights is our top priority. International training for teachers, the establishment of 118 Schools of Eminence (SoE), and providing Wi-Fi facilities in 16,348 schools are important steps taken in this direction. Through the Business Blasters programme, we are empowering students to become not job seekers, but job creators. Let us work together to build an educated, skilled and ‘Rangla Punjab’. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing the gathering during the state-level Teachers’ Day function in Mohali, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “My dream is to make Punjab a global education hub. Due to the revolutionary steps taken by our government in the education sector, the day is not far when teachers from across the world will come to Punjab to receive training.”
Paying tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India, great philosopher and eminent scholar, on his birth anniversary, the Chief Minister stated, “Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan gave the message of knowledge, integrity and service to the nation. He firmly believed that education is the greatest instrument for the development of humanity. His life represents the foundation of academic excellence and moral values, which is why his birth anniversary is celebrated across the country as a day to express respect and gratitude towards teachers.”
Teachers who have made significant contributions to Punjab’s education sector were honoured during the state-level Teachers’ Honour Ceremony. A total of 50 teachers, including 21 primary and 29 secondary teachers, received State Awards, while 10 teachers, including four primary and six secondary teachers, received Young Teacher Awards. Four teachers received Special Teacher Awards, six received Administrative Awards, and five awards were given to teachers nominated by the Education Minister.
Congratulating all the award-winning teachers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Your hard work, dedication and passion are laying the foundation for Punjab’s golden future. Our government considers education not merely a department but a crucial pillar of Punjab’s journey of socio-economic transformation.”
Extending warm wishes to teachers on Teachers’ Day, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “There is no shortage of funds for improving the standard of education and schools. Owing to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our teachers, Punjab has emerged as a leading state in the country in education, making every Punjabi immensely proud. I especially thank our teachers for this historic achievement and hope that you will continue to illuminate the minds of your students with the light of knowledge in the future as well.”
Referring to international-level training for teachers, he said that 234 principals and education officers were provided training in Singapore, 152 headmasters were trained at IIM Ahmedabad, and 144 primary teachers received world-class training from the University of Turku in Finland.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We have provided international-level training to our teachers so that children studying in government schools can receive education of global standards. Training teachers abroad has changed the education system of government schools. We are preparing our teachers and students to compete anywhere in the world.”
Highlighting the transformation of Schools of Eminence, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “Schools of Eminence have raised the standard of education. We have transformed 118 Schools of Eminence with modern infrastructure at a cost of ₹88.67 crore. Through these modern projects, we are ensuring that every child of Punjab becomes capable of competing anywhere in the world.”
The Chief Minister said his government has spent ₹211.58 crore on school safety and basic infrastructure improvements. To ensure a clean and safe environment in schools, 1,917 campus managers, 1,316 security guards, 7,113 sanitation workers and 1,785 chowkidars have been deployed.
He said, “Under the digital revolution, we have installed 16,348 Wi-Fi connections in schools. We are also spending ₹488.67 crore on improving classrooms, laboratories, libraries and toilets. These facilities are essential for providing our children with an education of global standards.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has allocated a budget of more than ₹47 crore for free uniforms, while books have been distributed to schools on time. Transport facilities have also been introduced for students from Classes 6 to 12. Under the nutrition scheme, around 16 lakh students of government schools are being provided nutritious food.
Highlighting the Business Blasters programme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Through Business Blasters, we are making our students job creators instead of job seekers. Under the programme, ₹10.32 crore in seed money has been provided to 1.83 lakh students so that they can work on their business ideas. Our aim is to empower the youth to create employment opportunities for themselves and others.”
Emphasising the importance of vocational education, he said, “More than 20 trades are being taught under vocational education in 1,490 senior secondary schools across Punjab. These initiatives are enabling our students to acquire practical skills. Business Blasters and vocational education are aimed at making students not merely job seekers but job creators.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I am the son of a teacher and I fully understand the difficulties faced by teachers.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that schools are temples of learning and the introduction of Parent-Teacher Meetings in government schools has significantly increased the participation of parents in their children’s education. “Earlier, Parent-Teacher Meetings were never held in government schools on this scale, where teachers and parents could interact with each other. In the last PTM, more than 24 lakh parents came for the meeting. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that even a rickshaw puller came to attend the PTM and know about his son’s progress. This reflects how the state government is empowering the common man through the education system,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 881 students qualified JEE and NEET for the first time, describing it as a significant achievement of the government school education system.
The Chief Minister said, “When I took the oath in 2022, Punjab was ranked 27th in education. Today, Punjab has reached the number one position in primary education, surpassing Kerala, which had held this position for a long time. This transformation has been possible because of the positive work undertaken by the state government in the field of education.”
He said that his government’s strenuous efforts would continue in the coming times for the benefit of the common people. “We consider education not merely a department but a key pillar of Punjab’s transformation. We will continue to strengthen our schools, provide world-class training to teachers and create better opportunities for our children. Together, teachers and the government will build an educated, skilled and prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’,” he said.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains welcomed all dignitaries and highlighted the importance of the state-level Teachers’ Day function.
MLA Kulwant Singh, Secretary Education Sonali Giri and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.