Punjab's 'Sikhya Kranti' Program: Advancing education in government schools

In a major push to improve government schools to fulfil the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's promise of world-class education, the Punjab Government has successfully upgraded over 1,2000 government schools under the “Sikhya Kranti” program. The initiative has modernized classrooms, infrastructure, and digital learning facilities to match the best educational standards.

Revealing the information about the ambitious program, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the government schools have been equipped with all the essential amenities including Wi-Fi Internet connections, furniture, clean drinking water, separate toilets for girls and boys.

He also highlighted that under this program, 6,812 schools now have new or repaired boundary walls, covering nearly 1,000 kilometres for enhanced safety for students. Additionally, 5,399 new classrooms have been built to accommodate students better, while sanitation facilities have seen a major upgrade with 2,976 new toilets in as many as 2,934 schools and repaired 7,166 toilets across 4,889 schools.

The program has also focused on student’s comfort and well-being, 1,16,901 dual desks, tables, and chairs have been provided to schools ensuring a dedicated learning space for each student, he said, while adding that 359 school playgrounds have been developed to promote sports and physical activity among students. Furthermore, to modernise education, 2,261 smart classrooms with interactive panels have been installed in 1,886 schools, incorporating technology into education for a more engaging learning experience.

To mark the completion of these improvements, the Education Minister said that the Punjab School Education Department will hold inauguration ceremonies to be commenced from April 7 onwards, and continue until May 31st across all schools to showcase infrastructure development works, including additional classrooms, boundary walls, toilet blocks, drinking water facilities, libraries, playgrounds, smart classrooms, and other critical improvements, have been completed.

Meanwhile, this initiative underscores the state government's commitment to providing quality education for all children. The improved learning environment will empower students to excel academically, and this investment in education is expected to have a lasting impact on the future of Punjab.