Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated a new ₹5 crore school block at Government Primary School, Lohara, in Ludhiana, fully funded by the Vardhman Textiles Group as part of the state’s push to modernise government school infrastructure.
New Block Adds 18 Classrooms
Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, Mann said the block had been constructed at a cost of ₹5 crore, with the entire cost borne by the Vardhman Textiles Group, for which he thanked the group’s leadership. The new facility comprises 18 classrooms for students, complete with furniture, along with three rooms for teaching staff.
Punjab’s Education Push Yields Results
Mann used the occasion to highlight broader gains in the state’s school education system, crediting sustained investment in infrastructure and teacher training for transforming Punjab into the country’s top performer in school education. He pointed to strong results in competitive exams like NEET, JEE, and the Punjab State Talent Search Examination as evidence of the reforms’ impact.
NEET Numbers Show Sharp Jump
The Chief Minister cited a dramatic rise in NEET qualifiers from government schools, noting that in 2021, before his government took office, only around 80 government school students in Punjab had cleared the exam. That number has since climbed to 882 statewide, a shift he said would transform families from modest economic backgrounds by opening pathways to careers in medicine.
Ludhiana’s Broader Education Footprint
Mann noted that nearly three lakh students currently study in government schools across Ludhiana district, which is home to 16 Schools of Eminence, 11 Schools of Brilliance, and 35 Schools of Happiness. Two additional Schools of Eminence, at Millerganj and Division No. 3, have been completed and will be dedicated to the public soon.
During his visit, Mann interacted directly with students, fielding questions ranging from his political journey to his favourite subject. He shared that mathematics was his favourite subject in school and recalled his father as his early mentor and guiding influence in education.
