Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has hit back at political critics after a classroom poster from a government school in the state came under scrutiny over alleged spelling errors. Responding sharply, Bains accused his critics of deliberately targeting Punjab’s education system while overlooking the broader reforms and infrastructure upgrades being undertaken by the state government.
Bains Accuses Critics of Targeting Punjab
In his response, Bains thanked “Amit ji, Badal Sab, and others” for their concern but alleged that political opponents were selectively highlighting old videos, news reports and now a classroom poster to attack Punjab.
He said he was glad that Punjab’s government schools had received their “undivided attention,” while accusing his critics of harbouring an anti-Punjab sentiment.
Highlights Punjab’s Education Ranking
Defending the state government’s education record, Bains claimed that Punjab has secured the top position in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026, rising from the 27th position and moving ahead of Kerala.
He also highlighted the government’s reported efforts to upgrade more than 19,000 government schools and construct thousands of new classrooms across the state.
From Students Sitting on Floors to New Desks
Bains pointed to improvements in basic school infrastructure, saying students who once had to sit on the floor are now being provided desks.
He argued that while spelling mistakes and shortcomings need to be addressed, the focus should also remain on the larger transformation taking place in Punjab’s government schools.
‘We’ll Keep Fixing Schools’
Taking another swipe at his critics, Bains said they wanted to see an “Udta Punjab” rather than a progressive Punjab. He maintained that criticism over a classroom poster would not deter the government from continuing its education reforms.
Bains said the government would keep working on “buildings, boards, spellings, and results,” stressing that education was not merely a publicity exercise for the government.
‘Education Is a Mission’
Concluding his response, Bains described education as both a mission and a personal passion. His remarks come amid a wider political debate in Punjab over the condition of government schools, with the ruling government highlighting infrastructure and education reforms while opposition leaders continue to question their implementation.
The latest exchange has once again put Punjab’s government school system at the centre of a political debate — this time triggered by a seemingly minor classroom poster but expanding into a larger argument over the state’s education reforms and performance.