Education in Punjab: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward

Punjab’s education system has evolved significantly, from its roots in the 19th century to a modern network of schools and universities. Despite notable achievements, including contributions to the Green Revolution and a rising literacy rate, challenges like uneven resource distribution, outdated infrastructure, and gender disparities persist. Recent initiatives show promise, but systemic issues and external factors demand sustained reform. This article explores Punjab’s educational journey, current state, and the steps needed to ensure equitable, quality education for all.

Historical Context

The foundation of formal education in Punjab was laid during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule in the 1830s, with funding for schools tied to religious communities and the establishment of girls’ schools. The first Gurmukhi script printing press in Ludhiana in 1835 advanced Punjabi literacy, followed by the first Punjabi dictionary in 1854. Missionary schools emerged in Jalandhar (1848), Ludhiana (1851), and Amritsar (1853), introducing subjects like English, Geometry, and Persian. Punjab University began examining students in Punjabi from 1877, and landmark institutions like Khalsa College (1892), Punjab Agricultural University (1962), and Punjabi University (1962) solidified Punjab’s educational legacy.

Current Education Situation

Primary and Secondary Education

The Punjab School Education Board oversees primary and secondary education, supported by initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, one of the world’s largest universal education programs. However, disparities in resource allocation persist. In 2017, teacher-to-pupil ratios ranged from 15:1 in Hoshiarpur to 46:1 in Tarn Taran, reflecting uneven staffing. The population per school also varied, from 2,251 in SBS Nagar to 4,373 in Tarn Taran, indicating infrastructure gaps.

Teacher-to-Pupil Ratio in Punjab (Class 1–5, 2017)

District          | Ratio

Hoshiarpur        | 15:1

Rupnagar          | 16:1

Fatehgarh Sahib   | 16:1

SAS Nagar         | 17:1

SBS Nagar         | 18:1

Gurdaspur         | 18:1

Pathankot         | 19:1

Kapurthala        | 20:1

Faridkot          | 20:1

Sri Muktsar Sahib | 20:1

Jalandhar         | 21:1

Sangrur           | 21:1

Patiala           | 22:1

Ludhiana          | 24:1

Bathinda          | 24:1

Barnala           | 26:1

Fazilka           | 27:1

Amritsar          | 30:1

Ferozpur          | 30:1

Mansa             | 30:1

Moga              | 31:1

Tarn Taran        | 46:1

Higher Education

Punjab hosts 23 universities, including state, private, central, and deemed institutions. Punjab Agricultural University was pivotal in the Green Revolution, while Panjab University, Chandigarh, boasts alumni like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nobel laureate Har Gobind Khorana. However, gender disparities persist, with only 44% of students in grades 5–8 being female in rural areas, reflecting barriers to girls’ education.

Literacy Rate

Punjab’s literacy rate has risen significantly, reaching 77.5% in 2024, with male literacy at 82.1% and female literacy at 72.8%, narrowing the gender gap to 9.3% from 17.58% in 1971. District-wise, Hoshiarpur leads at 85.4%, while Mansa lags at 62.8%. Despite progress, rural-urban and gender gaps remain challenges.

Literacy Rates in Punjab by District (2011)

District          | Male (%) | Female (%) | Total (%)

Amritsar          | 81.2     | 72.8       | 77.2

Barnala           | 73.1     | 64.1       | 68.9

Bathinda          | 75.3     | 62.9       | 69.6

Faridkot          | 75.9     | 64.8       | 70.6

Fatehgarh Sahib   | 84.5     | 75.5       | 80.3

Ferozpur          | 76.7     | 62.2       | 69.8

Gurdaspur         | 85.9     | 75.7       | 81.1

Hoshiarpur        | 89.9     | 80.8       | 85.4

Jalandhar         | 86.1     | 78.3       | 82.4

Kapurthala        | 84.6     | 75.4       | 80.2

Ludhiana          | 86.3     | 78.2       | 82.7

Mansa             | 68.4     | 56.4       | 62.8

Moga              | 75.3     | 67.4       | 71.6

S.A.S. Nagar      | 89.2     | 80.0       | 84.9

Muktsar           | 72.9     | 60.0       | 66.6

S.B.S. Nagar      | 86.2     | 74.3       | 80.3

Patiala           | 81.4     | 70.5       | 76.3

Rupnagar          | 88.9     | 77.2       | 83.3

Sangrur           | 74.2     | 62.9       | 68.9

Tarn Taran        | 75.4     | 62.9       | 69.4

Recent Initiatives

In August 2024, Punjab launched the Schools of Happiness project, allocating Rs. 10 crore to upgrade 100 primary schools with improved infrastructure and a holistic learning approach. The state has also invested in teacher training, sending 202 principals to Singapore, 72 primary teachers to Finland, and 152 headmasters to IIM Ahmedabad. Since April 2022, 12,316 education employees were regularized, and 10,361 teachers recruited. The Schools of Eminence program is transforming 118 government schools, supported by Rs. 100 crore in 2024–25, with high-speed internet (Rs. 29.3 crore budget) and transport facilities for 17 girls’ senior secondary schools.

Challenges and External Factors

Despite progress, Punjab’s education system faces significant hurdles:

• Lack of State Education Policy: Punjab lacks a cohesive education policy, with initiatives like Padho Punjab, Padao Punjab losing momentum after political changes in 2022.

• Staffing Shortages: Many primary schools operate with a single teacher managing multiple classes, and 810 of 1,723 high schools and 855 of 1,927 senior secondary schools lack headmasters or principals.

• Outdated Infrastructure: Computer education is hampered by obsolete courses and non-functional equipment, limiting students’ exposure to modern technology.

• Gender Disparities: Only 44% of students in grades 5–8 are female in rural areas, and poorer families often prioritize work over education for girls.

• Learning Outcomes: The 2024 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) revealed that 17% of Class I students cannot recognize numbers 1–9, 39.6% of Class VII and 51.2% of Class V students struggle with division, and only 76.7% of Class VII students can read Class II-level text.

External factors, such as India-Canada diplomatic tensions in 2024, have raised concerns for Punjabi students aspiring to study abroad. Environmental issues, like school closures due to smog in Pakistan’s Punjab, highlight broader regional challenges that could indirectly affect Punjab’s educational environment.

Conclusion: A Path to Educational Excellence

Punjab’s educational journey reflects resilience and ambition, from its historical roots to modern reforms. Initiatives like Schools of Happiness and international teacher training signal a commitment to quality education. However, addressing staffing shortages, modernizing infrastructure, and closing gender gaps are critical. A unified state education policy and consistent program evaluation can ensure sustainable progress. By empowering students, especially girls, and equipping schools with modern tools, Punjab can build an equitable, world-class education system.

References

• Education in Punjab, India. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Punjab,_India

• Department of School Education – Punjab (INDIA). https://www.ssapunjab.org/

• Bolstering education in Punjab: 10 major steps the Bhagwant Mann government has taken. Firstpost, March 22, 2024. https://www.firstpost.com

• Heart of Punjab: Experiment in school education yet to produce desired result. The Tribune, 2024. https://www.tribuneindia.com

• https://schools.org.in/punjab