World Bank backs Punjab classroom revolution

Chandigarh: Punjab has secured a massive ₹3,500-crore investment to overhaul its public education system, partnering with the World Bank to launch the second phase of its ‘Sikhya Kranti' (Education Revolution) reform.The six-year initiative, Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0, aims to pivot the state's schools toward global standards. The funding includes a ₹2,500 crore World Bank loan and ₹1,000 crore from state coffers, representing one of the largest educational investments in the region's history.For modernising the learning ecosystem, the mission focuses on the three primary pillars of foundational learning (implementing structured assessments and improved pedagogy to ensure basic literacy and numeracy), science and commerce expansion (increasing student access to high-demand academic streams and upgrading vocational training), and digital guidance (launching a statewide ‘Career Guidance Portal' to provide personalised aptitude assessments and counselling).Global BenchmarkingChief minister Bhagwant Mann has said the collaboration reflects the state's growing credibility, following Punjab's recent top ranking in India's PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 national survey. "We are now preparing our education system to compete with the best in the world," Mann said. The programme intends to transition the state from basic infrastructure improvements to outcome-driven interventions, specifically targeting employability and career counselling for senior students.MSID:: 129636790 413 |