Punjab ahead of Kerala in NITI Aayog education quality report: Bains

Chandigarh: Punjab has emerged as one of the country's top-performing states in school education, with the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026 placing it ahead of Kerala on several key learning indicators, education minister Harjot Singh Bains said on Sunday.Calling it the beginning of "Punjab's era" driven by reforms and grassroots efforts, Bains credited parents, teachers and students for the achievement. "This is not a one-day miracle. When policy, intent and execution walk together, results follow," he said.Quoting findings from the report, Bains said Punjab recorded 82% proficiency in language and 78% in mathematics among Class III students, ahead of Kerala's 75% and 70%, respectively. In Class IX mathematics, Punjab scored 52% against Kerala's 45%, he added.The minister attributed the improvement to the post-pandemic recovery drive under Mission Samarth and the Schools of Eminence programme launched by the Bhagwant Mann govt.He said 99.9% of govt schools now have electricity, 99% functional computers and more than 80% smart classrooms. Over 90% of Class X students are transitioning to Class XI, reflecting a decline in dropout rates, while the student-teacher ratio has improved to 22:1.Bains said the report also acknowledged Punjab's efforts in bridging the urban-rural divide and improving access for girls and village students.Highlighting competitive exam performance, he said 786 govt school students had cleared JEE Main and 1,284 qualified NEET so far.The minister also cited teacher training programmes in Finland and Singapore as key contributors to the reforms. Punjab has recruited 13,000 teachers and staff, introduced the English Edge Programme for nearly three lakh students and established 118 Schools of Eminence, he added."NITI Aayog has validated what the state has been witnessing on the ground. Govt school children are not just catching up, they are leading," Bains said.