The North News
Chandigarh, April 15
The Punjab government is ushering in what it calls a “revolution” in public education, according to Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who on Tuesday inaugurated infrastructure upgrades worth ₹34.5 lakh across four state-run schools. He claimed the Bhagwant Mann-led government has “completely transformed” the condition of government schools — in stark contrast to previous governments, which he accused of “neglecting the education sector.”
The development works done under the Punjab Sikhya Kranti (Education Revolution) programme, include new classrooms, science labs, libraries, boundary walls, and improved sanitation facilities. At the Government Senior Secondary School in Bija, a new library was built at a cost of ₹9.65 lakh, a boundary wall constructed for ₹3 lakh, and children’s bathrooms added for ₹1.40 lakh. The Government High School in Bhumaddi received a ₹11 lakh science laboratory. In Faizgarh, a classroom costing ₹6.26 lakh was built along with a projector panel and desks worth ₹1.25 lakh. At the Primary School in Kamma, a new boundary wall and bathrooms were also constructed.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sond emphasised that the Mann government had made “education and healthcare top priorities,” citing a long period of decline in school infrastructure even after 75 years of independence. “No previous government took meaningful steps to improve these temples of education where the future of our children is shaped,” he said.
The minister evoked the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, highlighting his rise from adversity to become a key figure in Indian constitutional history. “Ambedkar studied while sitting on a mat outside the classroom, went abroad for higher education, and eventually became the architect of our Constitution,” said Sond. “His story continues to inspire our mission to expand access to quality education.”
He also noted that state-run schools, previously seen as inferior to private institutions, are now beginning to offer amenities like transport services. “Parents are feeling reassured that their children are now being provided a safe, supportive learning environment,” he added.
Sond reiterated that the current changes were made possible because of “good intentions and public support,” and expressed confidence that the transformation would continue across more schools in the state.
