Four years after launching a sweeping transformation of Punjab’s education system, the Bhagwant Mann Government is now setting its sights on a bigger goal: turning Punjab into the country’s leading education destination and reversing the long-held perception that quality education can only be found abroad. Pointing to Punjab’s rise past Kerala in national education rankings, the growing dominance of girls among board toppers, and the success of 359 government school students in JEE Main, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the state’s Sikhya Kranti (Education Revolution) has begun delivering tangible results on the ground.
Speaking at the ‘Sitaare Zameen Te’ programme in Chandigarh, where top-performing Class 8, 10 and 12 students were honoured, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Punjab’s government schools are no longer struggling for recognition but are setting new benchmarks for excellence, confidence and opportunity across the country.
Sharing a few snippets from this heartfelt gathering on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today in Chandigarh, I had the privilege of honouring the meritorious Class 8, 10 and 12 toppers of the Punjab School Education Board during the ‘Sitaare Zameen Te’ programme. On the occasion, I issued special instructions to the Education Department that students securing equal marks should be awarded a joint first position instead of deciding ranks on the basis of date of birth. Today, due to the dedicated efforts of your government, Punjab’s government schools are surpassing even Kerala in the field of education.”
“My message to the students is simple: no matter how successful you become in life, always remain grounded. Always respect your teachers and parents, because even a winner has to bow down to receive a medal. My heartfelt best wishes to all of you for a bright and successful future,” the post concluded.
Addressing the gathering during the “Sitaare Zameen Te” function organised to felicitate top-performing students from districts across Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the state’s ‘Shikhya Kranti’ (Education Revolution) has transformed the aspirations of students studying in government schools and opened new avenues of opportunity for them.
Congratulating the students for their outstanding achievements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I congratulate all the students who have made their parents, teachers and society proud through their hard work and dedication. Such functions were never organised in the past because previous governments never paid attention to education, particularly in government schools. Earlier, students studying in these schools were often hesitant and uncertain about competing in examinations, but today they are excelling with confidence and proving their capabilities.”
Highlighting the Punjab Government’s efforts to improve the quality of education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our teachers are being sent abroad for specialised training where they learn modern teaching practices. After returning, they share this knowledge with students and fellow teachers, ensuring that global standards of education reach classrooms across Punjab. This path-breaking initiative is rejuvenating the education system and bringing qualitative changes that directly benefit students. These teachers are acting as agents of change and strengthening the Education Revolution in Punjab.”
He added, “This initiative enhances the expertise of teachers and equips them with modern methodologies to prepare students for future challenges and international competition. The results are visible today as students from Punjab are excelling in various fields and making their families proud. Since the present era belongs to skills, our government is placing special emphasis on imparting quality skill training to youth.”
Calling upon students to remain grounded and hardworking, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “You should strive to become grass-rooters in life and not parachuters. Grass-rooters rise from the ground through hard work and determination and go on to conquer the world. For such hardworking individuals, the sky is the limit. Parachuters, on the other hand, descend from the sky and are destined to fall sooner or later. Your focus should always be on excellence, and our government will provide every possible support to help you achieve your goals.”
Drawing an analogy with aviation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Just as a runway enables an aircraft to take off smoothly, the Punjab Government is creating opportunities and support systems that help students realise their dreams. Every effort is being made to give wings to the ideas of our youth, and no stone is being left unturned in this noble mission. I urge every young person to carve out a distinct identity through hard work and dedication because there are no limits to what you can achieve.”
Urging students to remain humble despite success, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “You should never become arrogant because of your achievements. Confidence and positivity are essential qualities, but pride should never accompany success. Humility, hard work and perseverance are the true keys to sustained success, and these values must always guide your journey.”
Referring to Punjab’s glorious legacy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Punjab is not only the food bowl of the country but also its sword arm. The people of Punjab are known throughout the world for their courage, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Every inch of this sacred land carries the legacy of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs who taught us to stand against injustice, tyranny and oppression. Punjab’s rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality are recognised globally.”
He further added, “Punjabis are natural leaders and have always excelled in every sphere. It is a matter of immense pride that Punjabis played a leading role in India’s freedom struggle and made unparalleled sacrifices for the nation.”
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “When I assumed office, nearly four lakh children in Punjab were studying while sitting on the floor. Today, due to the concerted efforts of the Punjab Government, not a single child has to sit on the floor to study. Punjab is now securing top positions in almost every national report related to the education sector.”
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in the country’s examination system. He said, “The outdated examination system in the country must be replaced. Incidents like the leakage of examinations such as NEET are ruining the futures of countless students. Instead of relying on a system rooted in the 19th century, examinations should evaluate the overall competence and capabilities of students rather than confining assessment to a three-hour test.”
Manish Sisodia further said, “The examination system must be aligned with the needs and abilities of 21st-century students so that their overall personality and potential can develop. For this transformation to take place, governments that prioritise and invest in education must be elected.”
Students Share How Punjab’s ‘Shikhya Kranti’ Is Transforming Their Schools, Confidence and Aspirations
Students who participated in the event also expressed appreciation for the Punjab Government’s efforts to strengthen education. Harleen Sharma from Jaito in Faridkot district thanked CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for consistently encouraging students and motivating them to pursue excellence. Nikhil Pandey, a student of Government School Rupana in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, presented a poem dedicated to his teachers and thanked CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for inspiring students in government schools to dream big and work towards achieving those dreams.
Suhani Chauhan from Ludhiana said that the Punjab Government’s educational initiatives have significantly enhanced students’ confidence in government schools and appreciated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for encouraging students to speak and perform on public platforms. Anmolpreet Kaur, a Class XI student from a Government School in Zira, said that the Punjab Government has made education more accessible by providing transportation facilities for girls. She also highlighted the installation of an elevator in her school and shared that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had assured students that he would visit the school soon.
Bhagwant Mann Govt’s Sikhya Kranti Delivers Results Across Classrooms
Punjab’s education transformation has begun yielding measurable outcomes across the state. Government schools in Punjab have secured the top position in the country in the NITI Aayog’s assessment of school education, surpassing several traditionally high-performing states. This year, 359 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools qualified JEE Main, while the government has also partnered with coaching institute Physics Wallah to provide free coaching for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET.
The Bhagwant Mann Government has introduced Parent-Teacher Meetings across nearly 19,000 government schools, bringing together around 25 lakh parents and over 1.8 lakh school staff to jointly focus on students’ development. Other key reforms include overseas training programmes for teachers in Finland and Singapore, transportation facilities for girl students, and the expansion of Schools of Eminence aimed at providing world-class education to Punjab’s children.
