The Punjab Government has intensified its drive to modernise public education, with infrastructure improvements in nearly 600 government schools being formally inaugurated under its flagship Punjab Sikhiya Kranti programme. The initiative, being implemented through a statewide inauguration campaign from October 27 to November 14, 2026, is expected to benefit more than two lakh students by providing better-equipped classrooms and improved learning facilities.

The Bhagwant Mann-led government is positioning the initiative as a major step towards making government schools more welcoming, inclusive and conducive to quality education. The upgrades are aimed at moving beyond basic infrastructure improvements to create learning spaces that encourage participation, strengthen classroom teaching and support better academic outcomes.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government’s objective was to develop public schools into institutions that inspire confidence among students and parents alike. He emphasised that improving educational outcomes must go hand in hand with providing children a safe, modern and supportive environment in which to learn.

Mann said the infrastructure improvements reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that children studying in government schools receive facilities that match their aspirations. He added that Punjab Sikhiya Kranti was playing an important role in reshaping the state’s education system and contributing towards the vision of a progressive and prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’.

Classrooms, Laboratories and Libraries Get a Major Upgrade

The infrastructure development programme covers a range of essential facilities, including the construction and renovation of additional classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, art and craft rooms and other school amenities. These improvements are intended to give students greater access to practical learning, creative activities and better educational resources.

Upgraded science laboratories are expected to strengthen hands-on learning, while improved libraries and dedicated art and craft spaces will provide opportunities for students to explore interests beyond conventional classroom teaching. Better classrooms and functional facilities are also expected to help teachers conduct lessons more effectively and create a more interactive learning experience.

The inauguration programme has been organised across districts with the participation of Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, local representatives, community leaders, School Management Committees (SMCs) and parents. Their involvement is intended to make the transformation of government schools a shared community effort, while encouraging greater public ownership of educational institutions.

Teachers Report Better Classroom Engagement and Attendance

Teachers have also highlighted the difference that improved infrastructure is making in everyday school functioning.

Amarjit Singh Chahal, a teacher at Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Ranghrial, in Mansa district, said better classrooms, laboratories and learning spaces had made it easier for teachers to explain concepts and conduct lessons. He observed that students were showing greater engagement, allowing teachers to concentrate more effectively on the teaching-learning process.

Similarly, Lavjeet Grewal, a teacher at Government Primary School (GPS), Chananwala, in Fazilka district, said the infrastructure improvements had made the school environment more welcoming and functional. According to him, the changes had contributed to better attendance and created a more positive atmosphere for children.

The government maintains that improved school facilities, when supported by effective teaching and active community participation, can contribute significantly to students’ overall educational experience.

Community Participation at the Centre of School Transformation

Punjab Sikhiya Kranti also places emphasis on involving parents, School Management Committees and local representatives in the development and functioning of government schools. The approach is intended to strengthen accountability, encourage community participation and ensure that upgraded facilities are properly utilised and maintained.

The government’s next priority will be to ensure that the infrastructure improvements translate into sustained gains in attendance, classroom participation and learning outcomes. The long-term impact of the programme will depend not only on the quality of facilities created but also on their regular use, maintenance and integration into everyday teaching.

With infrastructure work being inaugurated in nearly 600 schools and more than two lakh students expected to benefit, Punjab Sikhiya Kranti represents a significant push towards strengthening the state’s government education system. The initiative seeks to make public schools more capable of meeting contemporary educational needs while giving children from different social and economic backgrounds a more equitable learning environment.