Punjab: The AAP led government on Tuesday announced the launch of ‘Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0’, a major school education reform programme with an outlay of ₹3,500 crore to be implemented over six years.
The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the World Bank, which is providing financial and technical support. The funding includes ₹2,500 crore as loan assistance from the global body and ₹1,000 crore from the state government.
The programme seeks to deepen structural reforms in government schools and align the education ecosystem with global standards through outcome based interventions. It builds on earlier reforms that expanded access to science and commerce streams, improved teacher training and upgraded school infrastructure across the state.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the initiative marks a significant step in strengthening public education, highlighting the state’s recent top performance in national assessments. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains added that the next phase will focus on scaling reforms and improving quality further.
Key priorities under the programme include strengthening foundational learning through structured assessments and better teaching methods, expanding access to higher education streams, and enhancing vocational training. A digital career guidance platform will also be introduced to provide students with personalised counselling, aptitude assessments and informed academic choices.
The government said the mission aims to ensure long-term improvements in learning outcomes while preparing students for higher education and employment opportunities aligned with global standards.