World Bank Partnership Acknowledges International Recognition of Punjab’s Measurable Education Reforms

Chandigarh: In a defining milestone in Punjab’s education journey, the Bhagwant Mann Government has launched Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0, a transformative new phase of school education reform with a total investment of ₹3,500 crore over the next six years. The initiative aims to deepen structural reforms in government schools and align Punjab’s education ecosystem with global standards.

What has the the Punjab Government done?

As part of this mission, the Punjab Government has also entered into a collaboration with the World Bank to support implementation of the programme. The partnership reflects international recognition of the measurable progress Punjab has already achieved in public education reforms.

The ₹3,500 crore mission includes ₹2,500 crore through World Bank loan assistance and ₹1,000 crore from the Punjab Government, making it one of the largest education reform investments in the history of the State.

Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0 builds upon the remarkable progress achieved under the first phase of Punjab Sikhya Kranti, which has transformed government schools across the State and propelled Punjab to the top of national education rankings.

In the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 conducted by the Government of India, Punjab ranked Number One in classroom learning outcomes, surpassing Kerala and emerging as the national leader. This achievement reflects the deep structural reforms undertaken through Punjab Sikhiya Kranti, which strengthened classroom instruction, upgraded infrastructure and enhanced school governance across nearly 20,000 government schools.

Over the past two years, the State has also operationalised structured career guidance systems, expanded access to science and commerce streams, strengthened teacher training ecosystems and modernised school infrastructure across thousands of institutions, ensuring that reforms move beyond announcements to measurable outcomes.

These systemic reforms have laid a strong and credible foundation. Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0 now seeks to institutionalise these gains and prepare Punjab’s education system to compete with the best in the world.

What did Bhagwant Singh Mann say?

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the success of Punjab Sikhiya Kranti has already rewritten the education narrative of the State. “Punjab has shown that government schools can lead the nation. Ranking number one in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 is proof of that transformation. With Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0, we are now preparing our education system to compete with the best in the world. The collaboration with the World Bank reflects the credibility and transparency with which Punjab has carried out education reforms. This is the next leap forward in our commitment to every child,” said the Chief Minister.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab Sikhya Kranti has already delivered measurable results and the next phase will expand the scale and depth of reforms. “Punjab Sikhya Kranti transformed our government schools and placed Punjab at the top of national education rankings. Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0 will now accelerate our journey from national leadership to global excellence. Every child in Punjab deserves opportunities that match international standards, and this mission will help us achieve that vision,” said the Education Minister.

Detailing the next phase of reform, the Punjab Government stated that the ₹3,500 crore mission will deepen and sustain the gains of Punjab Sikhya Kranti through focused and outcome driven interventions. The initiative will prioritise strengthening foundational learning by ensuring every child achieves foundational skills through structured assessments, improved pedagogy and targeted academic support.

It will expand pathways to higher education and careers by increasing access to science and commerce streams, upgrading vocational education and introducing structured career counselling systems to guide students toward higher education and meaningful employment. A comprehensive Career Guidance Portal will be introduced to digitally enable personalised counselling, aptitude assessment and informed career and stream choices for students across the State.

The reform agenda will empower teachers and school leaders by strengthening teacher training institutions, modernising professional development programmes and implementing a comprehensive school leadership framework. It will ensure transparent and accountable school management by enhancing data driven decision making and empowering School Management Committees to strengthen community participation and accountability.

 The mission will also create future ready infrastructure and systems by upgrading facilities to ensure safe, sustainable and digitally enabled learning environments aligned with long term resilience and global standards.

 Punjab Sikhya Kranti laid the foundation. Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0 now carries that transformation forward, preparing Punjab’s education system to compete at the global level