Punjab Rises from 27th to Number 1 in School Education Under AAP Government: Report

Chandigarh: Punjab is witnessing a remarkable transformation, and education has emerged as one of the strongest symbols of that change. Once ranked among the country's poorest-performing states in school education, Punjab has now secured the top position nationwide, according to the latest Education Quality Report 2026 released by the policy think tank NITI Aayog.

Where did Punjab ranked?

The journey marks a dramatic turnaround for the state. Punjab ranked 22nd in school education in 2016-17, slipped to 26th in 2018-19, and further dropped to 27th place in 2020. At the time, concerns over the future of children studying in government schools were widespread, with many schools struggling with inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and poor learning outcomes.

What happen after AAP government?

The situation began to change after the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in 2022. Within four years, Punjab has overtaken states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi to emerge as the country's highest-ranked state in school education.

According to the report, Punjab's students have demonstrated significant improvements in foundational learning. In Grade 3 language proficiency, Punjab recorded an achievement level of 82 per cent, compared to Kerala's 75 per cent. In mathematics, Punjab scored 78 per cent, while Kerala stood at 70 per cent. Among Class 9 students, Punjab achieved 52 percent proficiency in mathematics, compared to Kerala's 45 percent.

What is there in the report?

The report highlights substantial improvements in school infrastructure across the state. Electricity is now available in 99.9 percent of government schools, while 99 percent of schools have functional computers. More than 80 percent of government schools have been equipped with smart classrooms.

What about other states?

Punjab's smart classroom coverage stands at 80.1 per cent, significantly ahead of Haryana's 50.3 per cent. Internet connectivity is available in 88.9 per cent of Punjab's government schools, compared to 78.9 per cent in Haryana.

One of the report's notable observations is that the performance of government schools in Gurugram, Haryana's most prosperous and technologically advanced city, lags behind even Punjab's lower-performing districts. Supporters of the Punjab model say this demonstrates the effectiveness of treating education as a mission rather than a political issue.

What are the reforms introduced by Punjab CM?

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government has introduced several reforms aimed at improving the quality of education. Teachers have been sent to countries such as Finland and Singapore for advanced training, enabling them to learn from some of the world's best education systems.

The results are beginning to reflect in competitive examinations as well. Government school students in Punjab have recorded strong performances in national-level entrance tests, with 786 students clearing JEE Main and 1,284 students qualifying NEET. Education officials say these achievements demonstrate that talent is not limited to private schools and that government school students can excel when provided with quality opportunities.

How many teachers were recruited?

The state government has also recruited more than 13,000 teachers and staff members. An English-learning initiative currently benefits around 300,000 students, while 118 state-of-the-art Schools of Eminence have been established to provide advanced learning opportunities.

Today, students in Punjab's government schools have access to modern laboratories, digital technology, smart classrooms, and improved learning environments. Education experts note that these are key elements found in successful public education systems across developed countries.

What about governement and private schools?

The report comes amid growing debates over education reforms in various states. While some states have had stable governments for years, Punjab's rapid rise in educational rankings has drawn attention to the impact of targeted investments and policy priorities.

Across rural Punjab, many parents now proudly choose government schools for their children, a significant shift from previous years when private schools were often seen as the only path to quality education.

Punjab's rise from 27th place to the number one position in school education is being presented by the state government as evidence that focused investment in education can deliver transformative results within a relatively short period. For supporters, it is not merely a story of rankings, but a story of a changing Punjab where education is increasingly becoming the foundation of future growth and opportunity.